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Represents the number of unconsolidated real estate entities in which the entity had investments as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

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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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Represents the number of apartment homes sold during the period.

No definition available.

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Percentage of Right of Distribution

No definition available.

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Percentage of Right of Remaining Distribution

No definition available.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable, pertaining to costs that are statutory in nature, are incurred on contractual obligations, or accumulate over time and for which invoices have not yet been received or will not be rendered. Examples include taxes, interest, rent and utilities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15(a))
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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
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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
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Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of an equity method investment.

No definition available.

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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
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of real property to fair value.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
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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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The amount recovered from insurance. These recoveries reduce costs and losses that are reported as a separate line item under operating expenses.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
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Amount before accumulated depletion of real estate held for productive use, excluding land held for sale.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
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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
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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
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Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=avb_NewEnglandMember
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Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=us-gaap_LandMember
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Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=avb_AvalonAtEdgewaterMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=avb_UnconsolidatedRealEstateEntitiesMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
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