Earnings per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings per Share [Abstract]

Calculation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
	2011			2010			2009
Numerator:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(142,100	)	$	(163,530	)	$	(197,505	)
Loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		39,155			47,164			48,741
Income attributable to preferred stockholders		(45,852	)		(53,590	)		(50,566	)
Income attributable to participating securities		(222	)		—			—
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Aimco common stockholders	$	(149,019	)	$	(169,956	)	$	(199,330	)
Income from discontinued operations	$	83,936		$	73,906		$	152,705
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		(38,078	)		(29,268	)		(68,215	)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Aimco common stockholders	$	45,858		$	44,638		$	84,490
Net loss	$	(58,164	)	$	(89,624	)	$	(44,800	)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests		1,077			17,896			(19,474	)
Income attributable to preferred stockholders		(45,852	)		(53,590	)		(50,566	)
Income attributable to participating securities		(222	)		—			—
Net (loss) income attributable to Aimco common stockholders	$	(103,161	)	$	(125,318	)	$	(114,840	)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding		119,312			116,369			114,301
Effect of dilutive securities:
Dilutive potential common shares		—			—			—
Denominator for diluted earnings per share		119,312			116,369			114,301
Earnings (loss) per common share — basic and diluted:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Aimco common stockholders	$	(1.25	)	$	(1.46	)	$	(1.74	)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Aimco common stockholders		0.39			0.38			0.74
Net loss attributable to Aimco common stockholders	$	(0.86	)	$	(1.08	)	$	(1.00	)
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.48		$	0.30		$	0.40