Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net real estate	$ 5,472,779	$ 5,391,209
Cash and cash equivalents	28,971	55,751
Restricted cash	91,445	127,037
Other assets	476,727	505,416
Non-recourse property debt	4,022,809	4,337,785
Accrued liabilities and other ($135,644 and $140,910 related to VIEs)	279,077	287,595
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized	500,787,260	505,787,260
Common Stock, shares issued	146,403,274	145,917,387
Shares of common stock outstanding	146,403,274	145,917,387
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P.
Net real estate	5,472,779	5,391,209
Cash and cash equivalents	28,971	55,751
Restricted cash	91,445	127,037
Other assets	476,727	505,416
Non-recourse property debt	4,022,809	4,337,785
Accrued liabilities and other ($135,644 and $140,910 related to VIEs)	279,077	287,595
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Net real estate	360,160	392,245
Cash and cash equivalents	17,108	24,094
Restricted cash	36,196	36,369
Other assets	182,108	211,287
Non-recourse property debt	336,471	355,372
Accrued liabilities and other ($135,644 and $140,910 related to VIEs)	135,644	140,910
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P.
Net real estate	360,160	392,245
Cash and cash equivalents	17,108	24,094
Restricted cash	36,196	36,369
Other assets	182,108	211,287
Non-recourse property debt	336,471	355,372
Accrued liabilities and other ($135,644 and $140,910 related to VIEs)	$ 135,644	$ 140,910