Name:	avb_EquityMethodInvestmentNumberOfUnconsolidatedRealEstateEntities
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Represents the equity in income from entities accounted for using the equity method, relating to the Company's recognition of its promoted interests.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Represents the number of apartment homes sold during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	avb_NumberOfApartmentHomesSold
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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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Percentage of Right of Distribution

No definition available.

Name:	avb_PercentageofRightofDistribution
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Percentage of Right of Remaining Distribution

No definition available.

Name:	avb_PercentageofRightofRemainingDistribution
Namespace Prefix:	avb_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Difference between amount at which an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting is carried (reported) on the balance sheet and amount of underlying equity in net assets the reporting Entity has in the investee.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of an equity method investment.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The amount by which the fair value of an investment is less than the amortized cost basis or carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27723805&loc=d3e25351-111560

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Cash received for the sale of real estate that is not part of an investing activity during the current period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3179-108585

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate
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The cash outflow to repay long-term debt that is wholly or partially secured by collateral. Excludes repayments of tax exempt secured debt.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

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Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
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Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
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