Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenues:
Rental and other property revenues	$ 423,199	$ 415,632	$ 1,254,323	$ 1,224,200
Expenses:
Operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes and insurance	105,108	100,319	292,031	286,284
Real estate taxes and insurance	64,706	59,220	188,426	176,774
Depreciation and amortization	127,679	124,684	381,257	371,417
Total property operating expenses	297,493	284,223	861,714	834,475
Property management expenses	12,691	13,899	39,064	41,195
General and administrative expenses	11,360	10,225	35,181	32,960
Interest expense	41,010	44,513	126,610	136,149
(Gain) loss on sale of depreciable real estate assets	(20)	(1,000)	7	(987)
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	(1,366)		(995)	(9,260)
Other non-operating (income) expense	(242)	(18,800)	13,647	(23,494)
Income before income tax expense	62,273	82,572	179,095	213,162
Income tax expense	(665)	(1,491)	(2,532)	(2,814)
Income from continuing operations before real estate joint venture activity	61,608	81,081	176,563	210,348
Income from real estate joint venture	428	378	1,153	1,210
Net income	62,036	81,459	177,716	211,558
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,126	2,814	6,096	7,336
Net income available for shareholders	59,910	78,645	171,620	204,222
Dividends to MAA Series I preferred shareholders	922	922	2,766	2,766
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 58,988	$ 77,723	$ 168,854	$ 201,456
Earnings per common share - basic:
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 0.52	$ 0.68	$ 1.48	$ 1.77
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 0.52	$ 0.68	$ 1.47	$ 1.77
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 58,988	$ 77,723	$ 168,854	$ 201,456
Limited Partner [Member]
Revenues:
Rental and other property revenues	423,199	415,632	1,254,323	1,224,200
Expenses:
Operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes and insurance	105,108	100,319	292,031	286,284
Real estate taxes and insurance	64,706	59,220	188,426	176,774
Depreciation and amortization	127,679	124,684	381,257	371,417
Total property operating expenses	297,493	284,223	861,714	834,475
Property management expenses	12,691	13,899	39,064	41,195
General and administrative expenses	11,360	10,225	35,181	32,960
Interest expense	41,010	44,513	126,610	136,149
(Gain) loss on sale of depreciable real estate assets	(20)	(1,000)	7	(987)
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	(1,366)		(995)	(9,260)
Other non-operating (income) expense	(242)	(18,800)	13,647	(23,494)
Income before income tax expense	62,273	82,572	179,095	213,162
Income tax expense	(665)	(1,491)	(2,532)	(2,814)
Income from continuing operations before real estate joint venture activity	61,608	81,081	176,563	210,348
Income from real estate joint venture	428	378	1,153	1,210
Net income	62,036	81,459	177,716	211,558
Dividends to preferred unitholders	922	922	2,766	2,766
Net income available for shareholders	$ 61,114	$ 80,537	$ 174,950	$ 208,792
Earnings per common share - basic:
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 0.52	$ 0.68	$ 1.48	$ 1.77
Net income available for MAALP common unitholders	0.52	0.68	1.48	1.77
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	0.52	0.68	1.48	1.77
Net income available for MAALP common unitholders	$ 0.52	$ 0.68	$ 1.48	$ 1.77