Organization (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Organization (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of largest markets in United States	20
Number of units for which asset or property management services were provided	13,921
Number of properties for which asset or property management services were provided	187
Ownership percentage in AIMCO Properties, L.P.	94.00%
Shares of common stock outstanding	120,477,521	117,642,872
Common OP units and equivalents of the Aimco Operating Partnership	8,346,803
Total shares of common stock and common OP units outstanding	128,824,324
Number of properties from which the company has resigned from providing property management services	100
Number of units from which the company has resigned from providing property management services	11,400
Conventional property asset quality based on average rents of units compared to local market average rents	A-quality assets earning rents greater than 125% of local market average, B-quality assets earning rents 90% to 125% of local market average and C-quality assets earning rents less than 90% of local market average. We classify as B/B+ those assets earning rents ranging from 100% to 125% of local market average
Conventional [Member]
Real Estate Property [Line Items]
Number of owned real estate properties in segments	215
Number of units in owned real estate properties in segments	67,049
Number of consolidated properties	209
Number of units in consolidated real estate properties	65,603
Percentage of proportionate property net operating income generated by segment	87.00%
Affordable [Member]
Real Estate Property [Line Items]
Number of owned real estate properties in segments	205
Number of units in owned real estate properties in segments	24,406
Number of consolidated properties	163
Number of units in consolidated real estate properties	20,235
Percentage of proportionate property net operating income generated by segment	13.00%