Mid-America Apartments 10-Q 2 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 28, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'	'
Trading Symbol	'MAA	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'MID AMERICA APARTMENT COMMUNITIES INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000912595	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	75,009,068	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$2,896,227,801.18
Limited Partner [Member]	'	'	'
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'MID-AMERICA APARTMENTS, L.P.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001581776	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'	'

MAA_Condensed_Consolidated_Bal

MAA Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	$6,785,663	$6,841,925
Liabilities:	'	'
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	17,937	20,015
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,691	108
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Land	862,833	871,316
Buildings and improvements	6,467,714	6,366,701
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	201,361	199,573
Capital improvements in progress	103,100	166,048
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost, Total	7,635,008	7,603,638
Less accumulated depreciation	-1,191,115	-1,124,207
Real Estate Investment Property, Net, Total	6,443,893	6,479,431
Land Available for Development	59,191	63,850
Commercial properties, net	7,919	7,523
Investments in real estate joint ventures	2,982	5,499
Real estate assets, net	6,513,985	6,556,303
Cash and cash equivalents	121,901	89,333
Restricted cash	37,876	44,361
Deferred financing costs, net	16,304	17,424
Other assets	57,356	91,637
Goodwill	4,106	4,106
Real Estate Held-for-sale	34,135	38,761
Total assets	6,785,663	6,841,925
Liabilities:	'	'
Secured notes payable	1,785,161	1,790,935
Unsecured notes payable	1,677,898	1,681,783
Accounts payable	15,174	15,067
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	17,937	20,015
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	197,997	206,190
Security deposits	9,522	9,270
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale	0	78
Total liabilities	3,703,689	3,723,338
Redeemable stock	4,828	5,050
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	749	747
Additional paid-in capital	3,604,117	3,599,549
Accumulated distributions in excess of net income	-694,150	-653,593
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,691	108
Total MAA shareholders' equity	2,913,407	2,946,811
Noncontrolling interest	163,739	166,726
Total equity	3,077,146	3,113,537
Liabilities and Equity	$6,785,663	$6,841,925
Redeemable stock, shares issued and outstanding	77,312	83,139

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets MAALP Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:	'	'
Assets	$6,785,663,000	$6,841,925,000
Liabilities:	'	'
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	17,937,000	20,015,000
Capital [Abstract]	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account	287,316,070	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,691,000	108,000
Limited Partner [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Land	862,833,000	871,316,000
Buildings and improvements	6,467,714,000	6,366,701,000
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	201,361,000	199,573,000
Capital improvements in progress	103,100,000	166,048,000
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	7,635,008,000	7,603,638,000
Real Estate Investment Property, Accumulated Depreciation	1,191,115,000	1,124,207,000
Real Estate Investment Property, Net	6,443,893,000	6,479,431,000
Land Available for Development	59,191,000	63,850,000
Commercial properties, net	7,919,000	7,523,000
Investments in real estate joint ventures	2,982,000	5,499,000
Real Estate Assets Net	6,513,985,000	6,556,303,000
Cash and cash equivalents	121,901,000	89,333,000
Restricted cash	37,876,000	44,361,000
Deferred financing costs, net	16,304,000	17,424,000
Other assets	57,356,000	91,637,000
Goodwill	4,106,000	4,106,000
Real Estate Held-for-sale	34,135,000	38,761,000
Assets	6,785,663,000	6,841,925,000
Liabilities:	'	'
Secured notes payable	1,785,161,000	1,790,935,000
Unsecured notes payable	1,677,898,000	1,681,783,000
Accounts payable	15,174,000	15,067,000
Fair market value of interest rate swaps	17,937,000	20,015,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	197,997,000	206,190,000
Security Deposit Liability	9,522,000	9,270,000
Due to Related Parties, Current	19,000	19,000
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale	0	78,000
Total liabilities	3,703,708,000	3,723,357,000
Redeemable stock	4,828,000	5,050,000
Capital [Abstract]	'	'
General Partners' Capital Account	2,910,649,000	2,946,598,000
Limited Partners' Capital Account	163,577,000	166,746,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,901,000	174,000
Capital	3,077,127,000	3,113,518,000
Liabilities and Equity	$6,785,663,000	$6,841,925,000
Temporary Equity, Shares Outstanding	77,312	83,139

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Parent Company [Member]	Parent Company [Member]	Limited Partner [Member]	Limited Partner [Member]
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	'	'	75,009,303	74,830,726
Common stock, par value per share	$0.01	$0.01	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	75,009,303	74,830,726	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,009,303	74,830,726	'	'
Redeemable stock, shares issued and outstanding	77,312	83,139	77,312	83,139
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	'	'	4,208,526	4,227,384

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Operating revenues:	'	'
Total property revenues	$243,390	$127,743
Total operating revenues	243,487	127,920
Property operating expenses:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	90,013	32,195
Acquisition (credit) expenses	11	10
Property management expenses	7,011	5,108
General and administrative expenses	4,342	3,239
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	9,819	20,223
Discontinued operations:	'	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	848	825
Earnings per share - diluted:	'	'
Dividends declared per common share	'	$0.70
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit	$0.73	$0.70
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Operating revenues:	'	'
Rental revenues	220,988	117,705
Other property revenues	22,402	10,038
Total property revenues	243,390	127,743
Management fee income	97	177
Total operating revenues	243,487	127,920
Property operating expenses:	'	'
Personnel	24,909	13,981
Building repairs and maintenance	6,399	3,129
Real estate taxes and insurance	31,131	15,488
Utilities	13,478	6,565
Landscaping	5,408	2,866
Other operating	16,038	8,492
Depreciation and amortization	90,013	32,195
Total property operating expenses	187,376	82,716
Acquisition (credit) expenses	11	10
Property management expenses	7,011	5,108
General and administrative expenses	4,342	3,239
Merger related expenses	2,076	0
Integration related expenses	3,842	0
Income from continuing operations before non-operating items	38,829	36,847
Interest and other non-property income	160	47
Interest expense	-30,676	-15,545
Loss on debt extinguishment/modification	0	-169
Amortization of deferred financing costs	-1,311	-804
Net casualty loss and other settlement proceeds	-10	16
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	6,992	20,392
Income Tax Expense	-270	-223
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments	6,722	20,169
Loss from real estate joint ventures	-24	54
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	6,698	20,223
Discontinued operations:	'	'
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	416	1,782
Net casualty loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations	-2	0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	5,481	0
Income (Loss) before Gain or Loss on Sale of Properties, and Extraordinary Items	12,593	22,005
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment	2,564	0
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	557	0
Consolidated net income	15,714	22,005
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	848	825
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	14,866	21,180
Earnings per common share - basic:	'	'
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders	$0.12	$0.46
Discontinued property operations	$0.08	$0.04
Net income available for common shareholders	$0.20	$0.50
Earnings per share - diluted:	'	'
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders	$0.12	$0.46
Discontinued property operations	$0.08	$0.04
Net income available for common shareholders	$0.20	$0.50
Dividends declared per common share	$0.73	$0.70
Limited Partner [Member]	'	'
Operating revenues:	'	'
Rental revenues	220,988	117,705
Other property revenues	22,402	10,038
Total property revenues	243,390	127,743
Management fee income	97	177
Total operating revenues	243,487	127,920
Property operating expenses:	'	'
Personnel	24,909	13,981
Building repairs and maintenance	6,399	3,129
Real estate taxes and insurance	31,131	15,488
Utilities	13,478	6,565
Landscaping	5,408	2,866
Other operating	16,038	8,492
Depreciation and amortization	90,013	32,195
Total property operating expenses	187,376	82,716
Acquisition (credit) expenses	11	10
Property management expenses	7,011	5,108
General and administrative expenses	4,342	3,239
Merger related expenses	2,076	0
Integration related expenses	3,842	0
Income from continuing operations before non-operating items	38,829	36,847
Interest and other non-property income	160	47
Interest expense	-30,676	-15,545
Loss on debt extinguishment/modification	0	-169
Amortization of deferred financing costs	-1,311	-804
Net casualty loss and other settlement proceeds	-10	16
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	6,992	20,392
Income Tax Expense	-270	-223
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments	6,722	20,169
Loss from real estate joint ventures	-24	54
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	6,698	20,223
Discontinued operations:	'	'
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	416	1,570
Net casualty loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations	-2	0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	5,481	0
Income (Loss) before Gain or Loss on Sale of Properties, and Extraordinary Items	12,593	21,793
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment	2,564	0
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	557	0
Consolidated net income	15,714	21,793
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	$15,714	$21,793
Earnings per common share - basic:	'	'
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders	$0.12	$0.46
Discontinued property operations	$0.08	$0.03
Net income available for common shareholders	$0.20	$0.49
Earnings per share - diluted:	'	'
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders	$0.12	$0.46
Discontinued property operations	$0.08	$0.03
Net income available for common shareholders	$0.20	$0.49
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit	$0.73	$0.70

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Unrealized losses from the effective portion of derivative instruments	($997)	($179)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	3,725	4,545
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Consolidated net income	15,714	22,005
Unrealized losses from the effective portion of derivative instruments	-997	-179
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	3,725	4,545
Total comprehensive income	18,442	26,371
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-992	-1,003
Comprehensive income attributable to MAA	17,450	25,368
Limited Partner [Member]	'	'
Consolidated net income	15,714	21,793
Unrealized losses from the effective portion of derivative instruments	-997	-179
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	3,725	4,545
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$18,442	$26,159

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Limited Partner [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Consolidated net income	$15,714	$21,793
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net	-6	-10
Depreciation and amortization	91,469	34,095
Stock compensation expense	948	630
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	1,775	0
Gain on Sale of Non-Depreciable Assets	557	0
Gain on sale of depreciable assets	-2,564	0
Redeemable stock issued	145	159
Amortization of debt premium	-7,402	-225
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt, Including Discontinued Operations	0	-169
Loss from investments in real estate joint ventures	24	-54
Derivative interest expense	427	261
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	-5,481	0
Net casualty loss and other settlement proceeds	12	-16
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Restricted cash	16,783	160
Other assets	5,664	-2,339
Accounts payable	106	1,097
Accrued expenses and other	-3,465	-14,837
Security deposits	240	160
Net cash provided by operating activities	113,832	41,043
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of real estate and other assets	-49,450	-32,561
Improvements to existing real estate assets	-10,502	-8,667
Construction Capital and Other Improvements	-1,843	-576
Renovations to Existing Real Estate Assets	1,356	2,187
Development	-16,279	-12,240
Distributions from real estate joint ventures	8,865	4,964
Contributions to real estate joint ventures	0	-16
Proceeds from disposition of real estate assets	93,127	76
Funding of escrow for future acquisitions	-10,298	0
Net cash used in investing activities	12,264	-51,207
Advances from General Partner	0	1,180
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net change in credit lines	-17,936	19,000
Proceeds from Notes Payable	344	0
Principal payments on notes payable	-17,986	-1,370
Payment of deferred financing costs	-145	-120
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-93,528	9,453
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	32,568	-711
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	89,333	8,934
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	121,901	8,223
Payments for Repurchase of Common Units	285	673
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Limited Partners Units	227	22,058
Distributions Paid on Common Units	57,747	30,622
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Interest paid	30,408	16,400
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Accrued construction in progress	9,971	7,126
Interest capitalized	513	448
Marked-to-market adjustment on derivative instruments	2,300	4,096
Fair value adjustment on debt assumed	1,651	0
Notes Assumed	31,692	0
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Consolidated net income	15,714	22,005
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net	-6	-10
Depreciation and amortization	91,469	34,237
Stock compensation expense	948	630
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	1,775	0
Gain on Sale of Non-Depreciable Assets	557	0
Gain on sale of depreciable assets	-2,564	0
Redeemable stock issued	145	159
Amortization of debt premium	-7,402	-225
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt, Including Discontinued Operations	0	-169
Loss from investments in real estate joint ventures	24	-54
Derivative interest expense	427	267
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	-5,481	0
Net casualty loss and other settlement proceeds	12	-16
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Restricted cash	16,783	159
Other assets	5,664	-3,466
Accounts payable	106	1,086
Accrued expenses and other	-3,465	-12,985
Security deposits	240	161
Net cash provided by operating activities	113,832	42,117
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of real estate and other assets	-49,450	-32,561
Improvements to existing real estate assets	-10,502	-8,701
Construction Capital and Other Improvements	-1,843	-576
Renovations to Existing Real Estate Assets	1,356	2,187
Development	-16,279	-12,240
Distributions from real estate joint ventures	8,865	4,964
Contributions to real estate joint ventures	0	-16
Proceeds from disposition of real estate assets	93,127	76
Funding of escrow for future acquisitions	-10,298	0
Net cash used in investing activities	12,264	-51,241
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net change in credit lines	-17,936	19,000
Proceeds from Notes Payable	344	0
Principal payments on notes payable	-17,986	-1,370
Payment of deferred financing costs	-145	-120
Repurchase of common stock	-285	-673
Proceeds from issuances of common shares	227	22,058
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-3,086	-1,204
Dividends paid on common shares	-54,661	-29,418
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-93,528	8,273
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	32,568	-851
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	89,333	9,075
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	121,901	8,224
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Interest paid	30,408	16,400
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Conversion of units to shares of common stock	744	443
Accrued construction in progress	9,971	7,126
Interest capitalized	513	448
Marked-to-market adjustment on derivative instruments	2,300	4,096
Fair value adjustment on debt assumed	1,651	0
Notes Assumed	$31,692	$0

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Prin

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation and Significant Accounting Policies Consolidation and Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation and Significant Accounting Policies
	Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to "we," "us," "our," or the "Company" refer collectively to Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Mid-America Apartments, L.P. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “MAA” refers only to Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., and not any of its consolidated subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, the references to the “Operating Partnership” or “MAALP” refer to Mid-America Apartments, L.P. together with its consolidated subsidiaries. “Common stock” refers to the common stock of MAA and “shareholders” means the holders of shares of MAA’s common stock. The limited partnership interests of the Operating Partnership are referred to as “OP Units” and the holders of the OP Units are referred to as “unitholders”.
	As of March 31, 2014, MAA owned 75,009,303 units (or approximately 94.7%) of the limited partnership interests of the Operating Partnership. MAA conducts substantially all of its business and holds substantially all of its assets through the Operating Partnership, and by virtue of its ownership of the OP Units and being the Operating Partnership's sole general partner, MAA has the ability to control all of the day-to-day operations of the Operating Partnership.
	We believe combining the notes to the consolidated financial statements results in the following benefits:
	•	enhances a readers' understanding of MAA and the Operating Partnership by enabling the reader to view the business as a whole in the same manner that management views and operates the business;
	•	eliminates duplicative disclosure and provides a more streamlined and readable presentation since a substantial portion of the disclosure applies to both MAA and the Operating Partnership.
	Management operates MAA and the Operating Partnership as one business. The management of the Company is comprised of individuals who are officers of MAA and employees of the Operating Partnership. We believe it is important to understand the few differences between MAA and the Operating Partnership in the context of how MAA and the Operating Partnership operate as a consolidated company. MAA and the Operating Partnership are structured as an "umbrella partnership REIT," or UPREIT. MAA's interest in the Operating Partnership entitles MAA to share in cash distributions from, and in the profits and losses of, the Operating Partnership in proportion to MAA's percentage interest therein and entitles MAA to vote on substantially all matters requiring a vote of the limited partners. MAA's only material asset is its ownership of limited partner interests in the Operating Partnership; therefore, MAA does not conduct business itself, other than acting as the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, issuing public equity from time to time and guaranteeing certain debt of the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership holds, directly or indirectly, all of our real estate assets. Except for net proceeds from public equity issuances by MAA, which are contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for OP Units, the Operating Partnership generates the capital required by our business through the Operating Partnership's operations, direct or indirect incurrence of indebtedness and issuance of partnership units.
	The presentation of MAA's shareholders' equity and the Operating Partnership's capital are the principal areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements of MAA and those of the Operating Partnership. MAA's shareholders' equity may include shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock, additional paid-in capital, cumulative earnings, cumulative distributions, noncontrolling interest, preferred units, treasury shares, accumulated other comprehensive income and redeemable common units. The Operating Partnership's capital may include common capital and preferred capital of the general partner (MAA), limited partners' preferred capital, limited partners' noncontrolling interest, accumulated other comprehensive income and redeemable common units. Redeemable common units represent the number of outstanding OP Units as of the date of the applicable balance sheet, valued for conversion at the greater of the closing market price of MAA's common stock or the aggregate value of the individual partners' capital balances. Each redeemable OP Unit may be redeemed by the holder thereof for either cash equal to the fair market value of one share of common stock of MAA at the time of such redemption or, at the option of MAA, one share of common stock of MAA.
	Organization and Formation of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.
	On October 1, 2013, MAA acquired Colonial Properties Trust, or Colonial, when Colonial was merged with and into MAA, with MAA being the surviving entity of the merger, pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger, which is referred to as the parent merger and Martha Merger Sub, LP, or OP Merger Sub, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of MAALP, merged with and into Colonial Realty Limited Partnership, or Colonial LP, with Colonial LP being the surviving entity of the merger and becoming a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of MAALP, which is referred to as the partnership merger. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each Colonial common share was converted into the right to receive 0.36 of a newly issued share of MAA common stock. In addition, each limited partner interest in Colonial LP designated as a “Class A Unit” and a “Partnership Unit” under the limited partnership agreement of Colonial LP, which we refer to in this filing as Colonial LP units, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the partnership merger was converted into common units in MAALP at the 0.36 conversion rate. The net assets and results of operations of Colonial are included in our consolidated financial statements from the closing date, October 1, 2013 going forward.
	As of March 31, 2014, we owned and operated 269 apartment communities comprising 82,730 apartments located in 14 states principally through the Operating Partnership and we also owned an interest in the following unconsolidated real estate joint ventures:
		Percent Owned	Number of Units/Square Feet
	Multifamily:
	Mid-America Multifamily Fund II, LLC (Fund II)	33.33%	594	(1)
	Belterra	10.00%	288	(2)
	McKinney	25.00%	—	(3)
	Commercial:
	Land Title Building	33.30%	29,971
	(1) This joint venture is comprised of two apartment communities.
	(2) This joint venture is not managed by MAA and is not included in our property totals.
	(3) This joint venture consists of undeveloped land.
	As of March 31, 2014, we had four development communities under construction totaling 999 units, with 305 units completed. Total expected costs for the development projects are $146.0 million, of which $98.7 million has been incurred to date. We expect to complete construction on all four projects by the first quarter of 2015. Four of our multifamily properties include retail components with approximately 100,000 square feet of gross leasable area. We also have three wholly owned commercial properties, which we acquired through our merger with Colonial with approximately 287,000 square feet of gross leasable area, excluding tenant owned anchor stores, and one partially owned commercial property with approximately 30,000 square feet of gross leasable area.
	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by our management in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The consolidated financial statements of MAA presented herein include the accounts of MAA, the Operating Partnership, and all other subsidiaries in which MAA has a controlling financial interest. MAA owns approximately 95% to 100% of all consolidated subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements of MAALP presented herein include the accounts of MAALP and all other subsidiaries in which MAALP has a controlling financial interest. MAALP owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of all consolidated subsidiaries. In our opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements have been included, and all such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	We invest in entities which may qualify as variable interest entities, or VIE. A VIE is a legal entity in which the equity investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or, as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack the power to direct the activities of a legal entity as well as the obligation to absorb its expected losses or the right to receive its expected residual returns. We consolidate all VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary and use the equity method to account for investments that qualify as VIEs but for which we are not the primary beneficiary. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consider qualitative and quantitative factors, including but not limited to, those activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and which party controls such activities.
	We use the equity method of accounting for our investments in entities for which we exercise significant influence, but do not have the ability to exercise control. These entities are not variable interest entities. The factors considered in determining that we do not have the ability to exercise control include ownership of voting interests and participatory rights of investors.

Business_Combinations_Notes

Business Combinations (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Business Combinations
	Merger of MAA and Colonial
	On October 1, 2013, we completed our merger with Colonial. Pursuant to the merger agreement, Martha Merger Sub, LP, or OP Merger Sub, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of our Operating Partnership, merged with and into Colonial LP, with Colonial LP being the surviving entity of the merger and becoming a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of our Operating Partnership, which is referred to as the partnership merger. The partnership merger was part of the transactions contemplated by the agreement and plan of merger entered into on June 3, 2013 among MAA, our Operating Partnership, OP Merger Sub, Colonial, and Colonial LP pursuant to which MAA and Colonial combined through a merger of Colonial with and into MAA, with MAA surviving the merger, which is referred to as the parent merger. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each Colonial common share was converted into the right to receive 0.36 of a newly issued share of MAA common stock. In addition, each limited partner interest in Colonial LP designated as a “Class A Unit” and a “Partnership Unit” under the limited partnership agreement of Colonial LP, which we refer to in this filing as Colonial LP units, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the partnership merger was converted into common units in our Operating Partnership at the 0.36 conversion rate.
	As part of the merger, we acquired 115 wholly owned apartment communities encompassing 34,370 units principally located in the Southeast and Southwest regions of the United States. In addition to the apartment communities, we also acquired four commercial properties totaling approximately 806,000 square feet. The additions have caused us to nearly double in size as a result of the merger. The net assets and results of operations of Colonial are included in our consolidated financial statements from the closing date, October 1, 2013, going forward.
	The total purchase price of approximately $2.2 billion was determined based on the number of Colonial shares of common stock and Colonial OP Units outstanding, as of October 1, 2013. In all cases in which MAA’s stock price was a determining factor in arriving at final consideration for the merger, the stock price used to determine the purchase price was the opening price of MAA’s common stock on October 1, 2013 ($62.56 per share). The total purchase price includes $7.3 million of other consideration, a majority of which relates to assumed stock compensation plans. As a result of the Merger, we issued approximately 31.9 million shares of MAA common stock and approximately 2.6 million OP units.
	The acquisition has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 805, Business Combinations, which requires, among other things, that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their acquisition date fair values.
	For larger, portfolio style acquisitions, like the Merger, management engages a third party valuation specialist to assist with the fair value assessment, which includes an allocation of the purchase price. Similar to management's methods, the third party uses cash flow analysis as well as an income approach and a market approach to determine the fair value of assets acquired. The third party uses stabilized NOI and a market specific capitalization and discount rates. Management reviews the inputs used by the third party specialist as well as the allocation of the purchase price provided by the third party to ensure reasonableness and that the procedures are performed in accordance with management's policy. The allocation of the purchase price is based on management’s assessment, which may differ as more information becomes available. Subsequent adjustments made to the purchase price allocation, if any, are made within the allocation period, which typically does not exceed one year.
	The allocation of the purchase price described above requires a significant amount of judgment. The following purchase price allocation was based on our valuation, estimates and assumptions of the acquisition date fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. While the current allocation of the purchase price is substantially complete, the valuation of the real estate properties and certain other assets and liabilities is in the process of being finalized. We do not expect future revisions, if any, to have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.
	The purchase price was allocated as follows (in thousands):
	Land	$	469,396
	Buildings and improvements	3,075,642
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	96,377
	Development and capital improvements in progress	113,368
	Undeveloped land	58,400
	Properties held for sale	33,300
	Lease intangible assets	57,946
	Cash and cash equivalents	63,454
	Restricted cash	6,825
	Deferred costs and other assets, excluding lease intangible assets	87,713
	Total assets acquired	4,062,421
	Notes payable	-1,759,550
	Fair market value of interest rate swaps	-14,961
	Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities	-125,034
	Total liabilities assumed, including debt	(1,899,545		)
	Total purchase price	$	2,162,876
	We incurred merger and integration related expenses of $5.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. These amounts were expensed as incurred and are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the items titled Merger related expenses and Integration related expenses.
	The allocation of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has changed from the allocation reported in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the SEC on February 21, 2014. The changes were based on information concerning the subject assets and liabilities that was not yet available at the time of the 10-K filing. These adjustments had no material impact on the results of operations.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_of_M

Earnings Per Common Share of MAA Earnings Per Common Share of MAA (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Common Share of MAA [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	Earnings per Common Share of MAA
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.  All outstanding unvested restricted share awards contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends and participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders and, accordingly, are considered participating securities that are included in the two-class method of computing basic earnings per share. Both the unvested restricted shares and other potentially dilutive common shares, and the related impact to earnings, are considered when calculating earnings per share on a diluted basis with our diluted earnings per share being the more dilutive of the treasury stock or two-class methods.  Operating partnership units are included in dilutive earnings per share calculations when they are dilutive to earnings per share. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, MAA's basic earnings per share is computed using the two-class method, and our diluted earnings per share is computed using the more dilutive of the treasury stock method or two-class method:
	(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)	Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Shares Outstanding
	Weighted average common shares - basic	74,803				42,354
	Weighted average partnership units outstanding	—			(1)	1,715
	Effect of dilutive securities	—			(1)	80
	Weighted average common shares - diluted	74,803				44,149
	Calculation of Earnings per Share - basic
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets excluded from discontinued operations	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(534		)		(760		)
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)		(18		)
	Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	9,268			$	19,445
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(314		)		(65		)
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)		(2		)
	Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	5,571			$	1,715
	Weighted average common shares - basic	74,803				42,354
	Earnings per share - basic	$	0.2			$	0.5
	Calculation of Earnings per Share - diluted
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(534		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	9,268			$	20,223
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(314		)	(1)	—
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)	(1)	—
	Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	5,571			$	1,782
	Weighted average common shares - diluted	74,803				44,149
	Earnings per share - diluted	$	0.2			$	0.5
	(1) Operating partnership units, other dilutive securities, and the related income with each are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as they were not dilutive.
	Earnings per OP Unit of MAALP
	Basic earnings per OP Unit is computed by dividing net income available for common unitholders by the weighted average number of units outstanding during the period. All outstanding unvested restricted share awards contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends and participate in undistributed earnings with common unitholders and, accordingly, are considered participating securities that are included in the two-class method of computing basic earnings per OP unit. Diluted earnings per OP Unit reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue OP Units were exercised or converted into OP Units.
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per unit computations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is presented below:
	(dollars and units in thousands, except per unit amounts)	Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Units Outstanding
	Weighted average common units - basic	79,023				44,109
	Effect of dilutive securities	—			(1)	80
	Weighted average common units - diluted	79,023				44,189
	Calculation of Earnings per Unit - basic
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets excluded from discontinued operations	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)		(18		)
	Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	9,802			$	20,205
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,570
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)		(1		)
	Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	5,885			$	1,569
	Weighted average common units - basic	79,023				44,109
	Earnings per unit - basic:	$	0.2			$	0.49
	Calculation of Earnings per Unit - diluted
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	9,802			$	20,223
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,570
Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)	(1)	—
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	5,885			$	1,570
Weighted average common units - diluted	79,023				44,189
Earnings per unit - diluted:	$	0.2			$	0.49
(1) Dilutive securities and the related income are not included in the diluted earnings per unit calculations as they were not dilutive.

Earnings_Per_OP_Unit_of_MAALP_

Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	Earnings per Common Share of MAA
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.  All outstanding unvested restricted share awards contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends and participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders and, accordingly, are considered participating securities that are included in the two-class method of computing basic earnings per share. Both the unvested restricted shares and other potentially dilutive common shares, and the related impact to earnings, are considered when calculating earnings per share on a diluted basis with our diluted earnings per share being the more dilutive of the treasury stock or two-class methods.  Operating partnership units are included in dilutive earnings per share calculations when they are dilutive to earnings per share. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, MAA's basic earnings per share is computed using the two-class method, and our diluted earnings per share is computed using the more dilutive of the treasury stock method or two-class method:
	(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)	Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Shares Outstanding
	Weighted average common shares - basic	74,803				42,354
	Weighted average partnership units outstanding	—			(1)	1,715
	Effect of dilutive securities	—			(1)	80
	Weighted average common shares - diluted	74,803				44,149
	Calculation of Earnings per Share - basic
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets excluded from discontinued operations	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(534		)		(760		)
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)		(18		)
	Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	9,268			$	19,445
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(314		)		(65		)
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)		(2		)
	Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	5,571			$	1,715
	Weighted average common shares - basic	74,803				42,354
	Earnings per share - basic	$	0.2			$	0.5
	Calculation of Earnings per Share - diluted
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(534		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	9,268			$	20,223
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(314		)	(1)	—
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)	(1)	—
	Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	5,571			$	1,782
	Weighted average common shares - diluted	74,803				44,149
	Earnings per share - diluted	$	0.2			$	0.5
	(1) Operating partnership units, other dilutive securities, and the related income with each are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as they were not dilutive.
	Earnings per OP Unit of MAALP
	Basic earnings per OP Unit is computed by dividing net income available for common unitholders by the weighted average number of units outstanding during the period. All outstanding unvested restricted share awards contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends and participate in undistributed earnings with common unitholders and, accordingly, are considered participating securities that are included in the two-class method of computing basic earnings per OP unit. Diluted earnings per OP Unit reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue OP Units were exercised or converted into OP Units.
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per unit computations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is presented below:
	(dollars and units in thousands, except per unit amounts)	Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Units Outstanding
	Weighted average common units - basic	79,023				44,109
	Effect of dilutive securities	—			(1)	80
	Weighted average common units - diluted	79,023				44,189
	Calculation of Earnings per Unit - basic
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets excluded from discontinued operations	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)		(18		)
	Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	9,802			$	20,205
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,570
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)		(1		)
	Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	5,885			$	1,569
	Weighted average common units - basic	79,023				44,109
	Earnings per unit - basic:	$	0.2			$	0.49
	Calculation of Earnings per Unit - diluted
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	9,802			$	20,223
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,570
Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)	(1)	—
Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	5,885			$	1,570
Weighted average common units - diluted	79,023				44,189
Earnings per unit - diluted:	$	0.2			$	0.49
(1) Dilutive securities and the related income are not included in the diluted earnings per unit calculations as they were not dilutive.

MAA_Equity_Notes

MAA Equity (Notes) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014																		Mar. 31, 2013
MAA Equity [Abstract]	'																		'
Net income attributable to MAA	$14,866																		$21,180
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'																		'
	MAA Equity
	Total equity and its components for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share and per unit data):
		Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Shareholders
		Common		Additional			Accumulated			Accumulated			Noncontrolling			Total
		Stock		Paid-In			Distributions			Other			Interest			Equity
		Amount		Capital			in Excess of			Comprehensive
							Net Income			Income (Loss)
	EQUITY BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2013	$	747	$	3,599,549		$	(653,593	)	$	108		$	166,726		$	3,113,537
	Net income						14,866						848			15,714
	Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)									2,583			144			2,727
	Issuance and registration of common shares	1		226												227
	Shares repurchased and retired	—		(285		)										(285		)
	Exercise of stock options	1		1,774												1,775
	Shares issued in exchange for units	—		744									(744		)	—
	Shares issued in exchange from redeemable stock			998												998
	Redeemable stock fair market value						(631		)							(631		)
	Adjustment for noncontrolling interest ownership in operating partnership			163									(163		)	—
	Amortization of unearned compensation			948												948
	Dividends on common stock ($0.7300 per share)						(54,792		)				—			(54,792		)
	Dividends on noncontrolling interest units ($0.7300 per unit)												(3,072		)	(3,072		)
	EQUITY BALANCE MARCH 31, 2014	$	749	$	3,604,117		$	(694,150	)	$	2,691		$	163,739		$	3,077,146
		Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Shareholders
		Common		Additional			Accumulated			Accumulated			Noncontrolling			Total
		Stock		Paid-In			Distributions			Other			Interest			Equity
		Amount		Capital			in Excess of			Comprehensive
							Net Income			Income (Loss)
	EQUITY BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2012	$	422	$	1,542,999		$	(603,315	)	$	(26,054	)	$	31,058		$	945,110
	Net income						21,180						825			22,005
	Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)									4,185			178			4,363
	Issuance and registration of common shares	3		22,055												22,058
	Shares repurchased and retired	—		(673		)										(673		)
	Shares issued in exchange for units	1		442									(443		)	—
	Redeemable stock fair market value						(319		)							(319		)
	Adjustment for noncontrolling interest ownership in operating partnership			302									(302		)	—
	Amortization of unearned compensation			630												630
	Dividends on common stock ($0.6950 per share)						(29,674		)				—			(29,674		)
	Dividends on noncontrolling interest units ($0.6950 per unit)												(1,187		)	(1,187		)
	EQUITY BALANCE MARCH 31, 2013	$	426	$	1,565,755		$	(612,128	)	$	(21,869	)	$	30,129		$	962,313

MAALP_Capital_Notes

MAALP Capital (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
MAALP Capital [Abstract]	'
Partners' Capital Notes Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	MAALP Capital
	Total capital and its components for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands, except per unit data):
		Mid-America Apartments, L.P. Unitholders
		Limited Partner			General Partner			Accumulated			Total Partnership Capital
								Other
								Comprehensive
								Income (Loss)
	CAPITAL BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2013	$	166,746		$	2,946,598		$	174		$	3,113,518
	Net income	848			14,866						15,714
	Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)							2,727			2,727
	Issuance of units	—			227						227
	Units repurchased and retired				(285		)				(285		)
	Exercise of unit options				1,775						1,775
	General partner units issued in exchange for limited partner units	(744		)	744						—
	Units issued in exchange from redeemable units				998						998
	Redeemable units fair market value adjustment				(631		)				(631		)
	Adjustment for limited partners' capital at redemption value	(201		)	201						—
	Amortization of unearned compensation				948						948
	Distributions ($0.7300 per unit)	(3,072		)	(54,792		)				(57,864		)
	CAPITAL BALANCE MARCH 31, 2014	$	163,577		$	2,910,649		$	2,901		$	3,077,127
		Mid-America Apartments, L.P. Unitholders
		Limited Partner			General Partner			Accumulated			Total Partnership Capital
								Other
								Comprehensive
								Income (Loss)
	CAPITAL BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2012	$	38,154		$	927,734		$	(26,881	)	$	939,007
	Net income	855			20,938						21,793
	Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)							4,357			4,357
	Issuance of units				22,057						22,057
	Units repurchased and retired				(673		)				(673		)
	General partner units issued in exchange for limited partner units	(443		)	443						—
	Redeemable units fair market value adjustment				(319		)				(319		)
	Adjustment for limited partners capital at redemption value	2,812			(1,450		)				1,362
	Amortization of unearned compensation				630						630
	Distributions ($0.6950 per unit)	(1,187		)	(29,674		)				(30,861		)
	CAPITAL BALANCE MARCH 31, 2013	$	40,191		$	939,686		$	(22,524	)	$	957,353
	Shareholders' Equity of MAA
	On March 31, 2014, 75,009,303 shares of common stock of MAA and 4,208,526 partnership units in the Operating Partnership were issued and outstanding, representing a total of 79,217,829 shares and units. At March 31, 2013, 42,683,322 shares of common stock of MAA and 1,707,660 partnership units in the Operating Partnership were outstanding, representing a total of 44,390,982 shares and units. There were 296,583 outstanding options as of March 31, 2014 compared to zero outstanding options as of March 31, 2013. The primary reason for the increase in shares and units is due to the merger with Colonial. In connection with the merger, on October 1, 2013, we issued 31,916,765 shares and 2,574,631 partnership units.
	On August 26, 2010, we and our Operating Partnership entered into sales agreements with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated to sell up to a combined total of 6,000,000 shares of our common stock, from time to time in at-the-market offerings or negotiated transactions through a controlled equity offering program, or ATM. We terminated this ATM program, and on February 25, 2013, we and our Operating Partnership entered into sales agreements with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and UBS Securities LLC to sell up to 4,500,000 shares of our common stock with materially the same terms as our previous sales agreements.
	During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, we issued no shares through our ATM programs. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we issued 325,166 shares through our ATM programs for net proceeds of $22.0 million. The gross proceeds for these issuances were $22.3 million. We have 4,134,989 shares remaining under our ATM program as of March 31, 2014.
	During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, we issued 340 shares of common stock through the optional cash purchase feature of our Dividend and Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Program, or DRSPP. The issuances resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $23,000. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we issued 141 shares of common stock through the optional cash purchase feature of our DRSPP resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $10,000.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, 6,554 shares of our common stock were acquired from employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations that arose upon vesting of restricted stock granted pursuant to approved plans. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, 4,582 shares were acquired for these purposes.
	Partners' Capital of Mid-America Apartments, L.P.
	Interests in MAALP are represented by OP Units. As of March 31, 2014, there were 79,217,829 OP Units outstanding, 75,009,303 or 94.7% of which were owned by MAA, MAALP's general partner. The remaining 4,208,526 OP Units were owned by non-affiliated limited partners ("Class A Limited Partners"). As of March 31, 2013, there were 44,390,982 OP Units outstanding, 42,683,322 or 96.2% of which were owned by MAA and 1,707,660 of which were owned by the Class A Limited Partners. The increase in OP Units was due primarily to the merger with Colonial Properties Trust. In order to complete the merger, on October 1, 2013, we issued 34,491,396 OP Units.
	MAA, as the sole general partner of MAALP, has full, complete and exclusive discretion to manage and control the business of the Operating Partnership subject to the restrictions specifically contained within the Partnership Agreement. Unless otherwise stated in the Partnership Agreement of MAALP, this power includes, but is not limited to, acquiring, leasing, or disposing of any real property; constructing buildings and making other improvements to properties owned; borrowing money, modifying or extinguishing current borrowings, issuing evidence of indebtedness, and securing such indebtedness by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien on the Operating Partnership's assets; and distribution of Operating Partnership cash or other assets in accordance with the Partnership Agreement. MAA can generally, at its sole discretion, issue and redeem OP Units and determine the consideration to be received or the redemption price to be paid, as applicable. The general partner may delegate these and other powers granted if the general partner remains in supervision of the designee.
	Under the Partnership Agreement, the Operating Partnership may issue Class A OP Units and Class B OP Units. Class A OP Units may only be held by limited partners who are not affiliated with MAA, in its capacity as general partner of the Operating Partnership, while Class B OP Units may only be held by MAA, in its capacity as general partner of the Operating Partnership, and as of March 31, 2014, a total of 4,208,526 Class A OP Units in the Operating Partnership were held by limited partners unaffiliated with MAA, while a total of 75,009,303 Class B OP Units were held by MAA. In general, the limited partners do not have the power to participate in the management or control of the Operating Partnership's business except in limited circumstances including changes in the general partner and protective rights if the general partner acts outside of the provisions provided in the Partnership Agreement. The transferability of Class A OP Units is also limited by the Partnership Agreement.
	Net income is allocated to the general partner and limited partners based on their respective ownership percentages of the Operating Partnership. Issuance or redemption of additional Class A OP Units or Class B OP Units changes the relative ownership percentage of the partners. The issuance of Class B OP Units generally occurs when MAA issues common stock and the proceeds from that issuance are contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for the issuance to MAA of a number of OP Units equal to the number of shares of common stock issued. Likewise, if MAA repurchases or redeems outstanding shares of common stock, the Operating Partnership generally redeems an equal number of Class B OP Units with similar terms held by MAA for a redemption price equal to the purchase price of those shares of common stock. At each reporting period, the allocation between general partner capital and limited partner capital is adjusted to account for the change in the respective percentage ownership of the underlying capital of the Operating Partnership. Holders of the Class A OP Units may require MAA to redeem their Class A OP Units, in which case MAA may, at its option, pay the redemption price either in cash (in an amount per Class A OP Unit equal, in general, to the average closing price of MAA's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange over a specified period prior to the redemption date) or by delivering one share of MAA common stock (subject to adjustment under specified circumstances) for each Class A OP Unit so redeemed.
	At March 31, 2014, a total of 4,208,526 Class A OP Units were outstanding and redeemable for 4,208,526 shares of MAA common stock or approximately $287,316,070, based on the closing price of MAA’s common stock on March 31, 2014 of $68.27 per share, at MAA’s option. At March 31, 2013, a total of 1,707,660 Class A OP Units were outstanding and redeemable for 1,707,660 shares of MAA common stock or approximately $117,931,000, based on the closing price of MAA’s common stock on March 31, 2013 of $69.06 per share, at MAA’s option.
	The Operating Partnership pays the same per unit distribution in respect to the OP Units as the per share dividend MAA pays in respect to its common and preferred stock.

Notes_Payable

Notes Payable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Notes Payable	'
	Borrowings
	On March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had total indebtedness of approximately $3.46 billion and $3.47 billion, respectively. Our indebtedness as of March 31, 2014 consisted of both conventional and tax exempt debt. Borrowings were made through individual property mortgages as well as company-wide credit facilities. We utilize both secured and unsecured debt.
	On August 7, 2013, our Operating Partnership entered into a $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility agreement with KeyBank National Association and thirteen other banks. This agreement amends our Operating Partnership's previous unsecured credit facility with KeyBank. Interest is paid using an investment grade pricing grid using LIBOR plus a spread of 0.90% to 1.70%. As of March 31, 2014, we had no borrowings under this facility.
	On October 16, 2013, MAALP issued $350 million in aggregate principal amount of notes, maturing on October 15, 2023 with an interest rate of 4.3% per annum (the "2023 Notes"). The purchase price paid by the initial purchasers was 99.047% of the principal amount. The 2023 Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of MAALP and rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of MAALP. Interest on the 2023 Notes is payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on April 15, 2014. The net proceeds from the offering after deducting the original issue discount of approximately $3.3 million and underwriting commissions and expenses of approximately $2.3 million was approximately $344.4 million. The 2023 Notes have been reflected net of discount in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company entered into three forward swaps totaling $150 million, which resulted in a total effective interest rate of 4.15%.
	On December 13, 2013, MAALP completed a series of exchange offers (the “Exchange Offers”) pursuant to which it exchanged $154,235,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.25% Senior Notes due 2014, $169,161,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Notes due 2015 and $68,130,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.05% Senior Notes due 2016 (collectively, the “Existing Notes”) issued by Colonial Realty Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership and wholly owned subsidiary of MAALP, for $154,235,000 aggregate principal amount of MAALP’s new 6.25% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “2014 Notes”), $169,112,000 aggregate principal amount of MAALP’s new 5.50% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Notes”) and $68,130,000 aggregate principal amount of MAALP’s new 6.05% Senior Notes due 2016 (the “2016 Notes” and together with the 2014 Notes and the 2015 Notes, the “Exchange Notes”), plus approximately $975,000 in cash.
	The Exchange Notes are senior unsecured obligations of MAALP and will rank equally in right of payment with all of MAALP’s other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. Interest on the 2014 Notes will accrue from, and including, December 15, 2013 and will be payable on June 15, 2014, which will also be the maturity date for the 2014 Notes. Interest on the 2015 Notes will accrue from, and including, October 1, 2013 and will be payable semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2014. Interest on the 2016 Notes accrued from, and including, September 1, 2013 and was paid on March 1, 2014. Interest payments will be payable semiannually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2014. In certain circumstances described below MAALP may be required to pay additional interest on the Exchange Notes.
	The Indenture under which the 2023 notes were issued and the Indentures contain certain covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of MAALP and its subsidiaries to incur secured and unsecured indebtedness if not in pro forma compliance with the following negative covenants: (1) total leverage not to exceed 60% of adjusted total assets, (2) secured leverage not to exceed 40% of adjusted total assets and (3) a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.50 to 1. In addition, MAALP is required to maintain at all times unencumbered consolidated total assets of not less than 150% of the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding unsecured debt. At March 31, 2014, MAALP was in compliance with each of these financial covenants.
	All of the Existing Notes tendered into the Exchange Offers were cancelled in connection with the settlement of the Exchange Offers. In connection with the issuance and sale of the Exchange Notes, MAALP also entered into three separate registration rights agreements, each dated as of December 13, 2013, and each with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, the dealer manager in the Exchange Offers (the “Registration Rights Agreements”). Under the Registration Rights Agreements, MAALP agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to complete exchange offers registered under the Securities Act pursuant to which MAALP will offer to issue new exchange notes containing terms substantially similar in all material respects to the Exchange Notes (except that the exchange notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or any increase in annual interest rate) in exchange for the Exchange Notes. MAALP also agreed, if it determines that a registered exchange offer is not available or specified other circumstances occur, to use commercially reasonable efforts to file and have become effective a shelf registration statement relating to resales of the Exchange Notes. MAALP will be obligated to pay additional interest of up to 0.50% per annum on the Exchange Notes if it does not complete the exchange offers within 270 days after the issue date of the Exchange Notes and in other specified circumstances.
	As of March 31, 2014, approximately 18% of our outstanding debt was borrowed through secured credit facility relationships with Prudential Mortgage Capital, which are credit enhanced by the Federal National Mortgage Association, or FNMA, and Financial Federal, which are credit enhanced by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or Freddie Mac.
	We utilize interest rate swaps and interest rate caps to help manage our current and future interest rate risk and entered into 14 interest rate swaps and 7 interest rate caps as of March 31, 2014, representing notional amounts totaling $717.0 million and $180.0 million, respectively. We also held 15 non-designated interest rate caps with notional amounts totaling $134.3 million as of March 31, 2014.
	The following table summarizes our outstanding debt structure as of March 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
		Borrowed		Effective		Contract
		Balance		Rate		Maturity
	Fixed Rate Secured Debt
	Individual property mortgages	$	1,124,500	4	%	4/11/19
	FNMA conventional credit facilities	50,000		4.7	%	3/31/17
	Credit facility balances with:
	LIBOR-based interest rate swaps	167,000		5.2	%	10/27/14
	Total fixed rate secured debt	$	1,341,500	4.2	%	8/24/18
	Variable Rate Secured Debt (1)
	FNMA conventional credit facilities	$	171,785	0.7	%	1/31/17
	FNMA tax-free credit facilities	88,370		0.9	%	7/23/31
	Freddie Mac credit facilities	156,247		0.7	%	7/1/14
	Freddie Mac mortgage	27,259		3.3	%	10/31/15
	Total variable rate secured debt	$	443,661	0.9	%	12/24/18
	Total Secured Debt	$	1,785,161	3.4	%	9/23/18
	Unsecured Debt
	Term loan fixed with swaps	550,000		3.1	%	11/10/17
	Fixed rate senior bonds	1,127,898		5	%	9/23/19
	Total Unsecured Debt	$	1,677,898	4.3	%	2/11/19
	Total Outstanding Debt	$	3,463,059	3.8	%	6/24/18
	(1) Includes capped balances.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'
	Derivatives and Hedging Activities
	Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
	We are exposed to certain risks arising from both our business operations and economic conditions. We principally manage our exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of our core business activities. We manage economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of our debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, we enter into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the payment of future contractual and forecasted cash amounts, principally related to our borrowings, the value of which are determined by changing interest rates, related cash flows and other factors.
	Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
	Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we use interest rate swaps and interest rate caps as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for us making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up front premium.
	The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt and forecasted issuances of fixed-rate debt.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded ineffectiveness of $4,000 (increase to interest expense) and $4,000 (decrease to interest expense), respectively, mainly attributable to a mismatch in the underlying indices of the derivatives and the hedged interest payments made on our variable-rate debt.
	Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives designated as qualifying cash flow hedges will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate or fixed-rate debt. During the next 12 months, we estimate that an additional $9.7 million will be reclassified to earnings as an increase to interest expense, which primarily represents the difference between our fixed interest rate swap payments and the projected variable interest rate swap payments.
	As of March 31, 2014, we had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk:
	Interest Rate Derivative		Number of Instruments		Notional
	Interest Rate Caps		7		$	180,000,000
	Interest Rate Swaps (1)		14		$	717,000,000
	(1) Excludes four forward rate swaps totaling $200 million where the debt has not yet been issued. These swaps are not included in our debt discussion in MD&A or Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7.
	Non-Designated Hedges
	Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company's exposure to interest rate movements and other identified risks but do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements of FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in earnings and resulted in a loss of $69,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and a loss of $13,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	As of March 31, 2014, we had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives that were not designated as hedges:
	Interest Rate Derivative		Number of Instruments		Notional
	Interest rate caps		15		$	134,326,000
	Tabular Disclosure of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Balance Sheet
	The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2014 and
	December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands)
			Asset Derivatives									Liability Derivatives
					March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013					March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value				Fair Value			Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value				Fair Value
	Interest rate contracts		Other assets		$	441			$	396		Fair market value of interest rate swaps		$	17,937			$	20,015
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments				$	441			$	396				$	17,937			$	20,015
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	Interest rate contracts		Other assets		$	83			$	49				$	—			$	—
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments				$	83			$	49				$	—			$	—
	Tabular Disclosure of the Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Operations
	The table below presents the effect of our derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
	Three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands)
	Derivatives in Cash Flow		Amount of								Location of Gain or	Amount of								Location of Gain or		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on
	Hedging Relationships		Gain or (Loss)								(Loss) Reclassified	Gain or (Loss)								(Loss) Recognized in		Derivative (Ineffective
			Recognized in								from Accumulated	Reclassified from								Income on Derivative		Portion and Amount
			OCI on Derivative								OCI into Income	Accumulated								(Ineffective Portion and		Excluded from
			(Effective Portion)								(Effective Portion)	OCI into Income								Amount Excluded from		Effectiveness Testing)
												(Effective Portion)								Effectiveness Testing)
	Three months ended March 31,		2014				2013					2014				2013						2014			2013
	Interest rate contracts		$	(997	)		$	(179	)		Interest expense	$	(3,725	)		$	(4,545	)		Interest expense		$	(4	)	$	4
	Total derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships		$	(997	)		$	(179	)			$	(3,725	)		$	(4,545	)				$	(4	)	$	4
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Three months ended March 31,																			Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income		2014			2013
	Interest rate contracts																			Interest expense		$	(69	)	$	(13	)
	Total																					$	(69	)	$	(13	)
	Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features
	As of March 31, 2014, derivatives that were in a net liability position and subject to credit-risk-related contingent features had a termination value of $19.6 million, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk. These derivatives had a fair value, gross of asset positions, of $17.9 million at March 31, 2014.
	Certain of our derivative contracts contain a provision where if we default on any of our indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations. As of March 31, 2014, we had not breached the provisions of these agreements.  If we had breached these provisions, we could have been required to settle our obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $3.4 million.
	Certain of our derivative contracts contain a provision where we could be declared in default on our derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to our default on the indebtedness. As of March 31, 2014, we had not breached the provisions of these agreements. If we had breached theses provisions, we could have been required to settle our obligations under the agreements at the termination value of $14.9 million.
	Certain of our derivative contracts are credit enhanced by either FNMA or Freddie Mac.  These derivative contracts require that our credit enhancing party maintain credit ratings above a certain level.  If our credit support providers were downgraded below Baa1 by Moody’s or BBB+ by Standard & Poor’s, or S&P, we may be required to either post 100 percent collateral or settle the obligations at their termination value of $4.7 million as of March 31, 2014.  Both FNMA and Freddie Mac are currently rated Aaa by Moody’s and AA+ by S&P, and therefore, the provisions of this agreement have not been breached, and no collateral has been posted related to these agreements as of March 31, 2014.
	Although our derivative contracts are subject to master netting arrangements, which serve as credit mitigants to both us and our counterparties under certain situations, we do not net our derivative fair values or any existing rights or obligations to cash collateral on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	The table below presents a gross presentation, the effects of offsetting, and a net presentation of our derivatives as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The net amounts of derivative assets or liabilities can be reconciled to the Tabular Disclosure of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments above, which also provides the location that derivative assets and liabilities are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (dollars in thousands):
	Offsetting of Derivative Assets
	As of March 31, 2014
													Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets				Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position				Net Amounts of Assets presented in the Statement of Financial Position			Financial Instruments				Cash Collateral Received				Net Amount
	Derivatives	$	524			$	—			$	524		$	(97	)		$	—			$	427
	Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities
	As of March 31, 2014
													Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities				Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position				Net Amounts of Liabilities presented in the Statement of Financial Position			Financial Instruments				Cash Collateral Posted				Net Amount
	Derivatives	$	17,937			$	—			$	17,937		$	(97	)		$	—			$	17,840
Offsetting of Derivative Assets
As of December 31, 2013
												Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets				Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position				Net Amounts of Assets presented in the Statement of Financial Position			Financial Instruments				Cash Collateral Received				Net Amount
Derivatives	$	444			$	—			$	444		$	—			$	—			$	444
Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities
As of December 31, 2013
												Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
	Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities				Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position				Net Amounts of Liabilities presented in the Statement of Financial Position			Financial Instruments				Cash Collateral Posted				Net Amount
Derivatives	$	20,015			$	—			$	20,015		$	—			$	—			$	20,015
Other Comprehensive Income
Our other comprehensive income consists entirely of gains and losses attributable to the effective portion of our cash flow hedges. The chart below shows the change in the balance for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component
		Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements Of Operations		Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
				For the three months ended March 31,
				2014				2013
Beginning balance				$	108			$	(26,054	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications				(997		)		(179		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (interest rate contracts)		Interest (income)/expense		3,725				4,545
Net current-period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest				(145		)		(181		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income attributable to MAA				2,583				4,185
Ending balance				$	2,691			$	(21,869	)
See also discussions in Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 9.

Fair_Value_Disclosure_of_Finan

Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments
	Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities and security deposits are carried at amounts that reasonably approximate their fair value due to their short term nature.
	On January 1, 2008, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, ASC 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, or ASC 820. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 applies to reported balances that are required or permitted to be measured at fair value under existing accounting pronouncements; accordingly, the standard does not require any new fair value measurements of reported balances.
	ASC 820 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement.  Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).
	Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
	Fixed rate notes payable at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, totaled $2.30 billion and $2.29 billion, respectively, and had estimated fair values of $2.33 billion and $2.30 billion (excluding prepayment penalties), respectively, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The carrying value of variable rate notes payable (excluding the effect of interest rate swap and cap agreements) at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, totaled $1.16 billion and $1.18 billion, respectively, and had estimated fair values of $1.07 billion and $1.12 billion (excluding prepayment penalties), respectively, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The valuation of our debt is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each debt instrument. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the debt, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and credit spreads. The fair values of fixed debt are determined by using the present value of future cash outflows discounted with the applicable current market rate plus a credit spread. The fair values of variable debt are determined using the stated variable rate plus the current market credit spread. Our variable rates reset every 30 to 90 days and we conclude that these rates reasonably estimate current market rates. We have determined that inputs used to value our debt fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and therefore our fair market valuation of debt is considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Currently, we use interest rate swaps and interest rate caps (options) to manage our interest rate risk.  The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves.
	The fair values of interest rate options are determined using the market standard methodology of discounting the future expected cash receipts that would occur if variable interest rates rise above the strike rate of the caps. The variable interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on the cap are based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves and volatilities.
	To comply with the provisions of ASC 820, we incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of our derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we have considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees. In conjunction with the FASB's fair value measurement guidance, we made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of our derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio.
	We have determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, and as a result, all of our derivatives held as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	The table below presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall.
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis at March 31, 2014
	(dollars in thousands)
		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant		Balance at
		Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
		Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs (Level 3)
		and Liabilities		Inputs (Level 2)
		(Level 1)						March 31, 2014
	Assets
	Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	524	$	—	$	524
	Liabilities
	Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	17,937	$	—	$	17,937
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis at December 31, 2013
	(dollars in thousands)
		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant		Balance at
		Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
		Identical Assets		Observable		Inputs (Level 3)
		and Liabilities		Inputs (Level 2)
		(Level 1)						December 31, 2013
	Assets
	Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	444	$	—	$	444
	Liabilities
	Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	20,015	$	—	$	20,015
	The fair value estimates presented herein are based on information available to management as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  These estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts we could ultimately realize.  See also discussions in Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8.

Shareholders_Equity_of_MAA_Sha

Shareholders' Equity of MAA Shareholders' Equity of MAA (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Shareholders' Equity of MAA [Abstract]	'
Partners' Capital Notes Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	MAALP Capital
	Total capital and its components for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands, except per unit data):
		Mid-America Apartments, L.P. Unitholders
		Limited Partner			General Partner			Accumulated			Total Partnership Capital
								Other
								Comprehensive
								Income (Loss)
	CAPITAL BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2013	$	166,746		$	2,946,598		$	174		$	3,113,518
	Net income	848			14,866						15,714
	Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)							2,727			2,727
	Issuance of units	—			227						227
	Units repurchased and retired				(285		)				(285		)
	Exercise of unit options				1,775						1,775
	General partner units issued in exchange for limited partner units	(744		)	744						—
	Units issued in exchange from redeemable units				998						998
	Redeemable units fair market value adjustment				(631		)				(631		)
	Adjustment for limited partners' capital at redemption value	(201		)	201						—
	Amortization of unearned compensation				948						948
	Distributions ($0.7300 per unit)	(3,072		)	(54,792		)				(57,864		)
	CAPITAL BALANCE MARCH 31, 2014	$	163,577		$	2,910,649		$	2,901		$	3,077,127
		Mid-America Apartments, L.P. Unitholders
		Limited Partner			General Partner			Accumulated			Total Partnership Capital
								Other
								Comprehensive
								Income (Loss)
	CAPITAL BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2012	$	38,154		$	927,734		$	(26,881	)	$	939,007
	Net income	855			20,938						21,793
	Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)							4,357			4,357
	Issuance of units				22,057						22,057
	Units repurchased and retired				(673		)				(673		)
	General partner units issued in exchange for limited partner units	(443		)	443						—
	Redeemable units fair market value adjustment				(319		)				(319		)
	Adjustment for limited partners capital at redemption value	2,812			(1,450		)				1,362
	Amortization of unearned compensation				630						630
	Distributions ($0.6950 per unit)	(1,187		)	(29,674		)				(30,861		)
	CAPITAL BALANCE MARCH 31, 2013	$	40,191		$	939,686		$	(22,524	)	$	957,353
	Shareholders' Equity of MAA
	On March 31, 2014, 75,009,303 shares of common stock of MAA and 4,208,526 partnership units in the Operating Partnership were issued and outstanding, representing a total of 79,217,829 shares and units. At March 31, 2013, 42,683,322 shares of common stock of MAA and 1,707,660 partnership units in the Operating Partnership were outstanding, representing a total of 44,390,982 shares and units. There were 296,583 outstanding options as of March 31, 2014 compared to zero outstanding options as of March 31, 2013. The primary reason for the increase in shares and units is due to the merger with Colonial. In connection with the merger, on October 1, 2013, we issued 31,916,765 shares and 2,574,631 partnership units.
	On August 26, 2010, we and our Operating Partnership entered into sales agreements with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated to sell up to a combined total of 6,000,000 shares of our common stock, from time to time in at-the-market offerings or negotiated transactions through a controlled equity offering program, or ATM. We terminated this ATM program, and on February 25, 2013, we and our Operating Partnership entered into sales agreements with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and UBS Securities LLC to sell up to 4,500,000 shares of our common stock with materially the same terms as our previous sales agreements.
	During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, we issued no shares through our ATM programs. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we issued 325,166 shares through our ATM programs for net proceeds of $22.0 million. The gross proceeds for these issuances were $22.3 million. We have 4,134,989 shares remaining under our ATM program as of March 31, 2014.
	During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, we issued 340 shares of common stock through the optional cash purchase feature of our Dividend and Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Program, or DRSPP. The issuances resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $23,000. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we issued 141 shares of common stock through the optional cash purchase feature of our DRSPP resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $10,000.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, 6,554 shares of our common stock were acquired from employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations that arose upon vesting of restricted stock granted pursuant to approved plans. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, 4,582 shares were acquired for these purposes.
	Partners' Capital of Mid-America Apartments, L.P.
	Interests in MAALP are represented by OP Units. As of March 31, 2014, there were 79,217,829 OP Units outstanding, 75,009,303 or 94.7% of which were owned by MAA, MAALP's general partner. The remaining 4,208,526 OP Units were owned by non-affiliated limited partners ("Class A Limited Partners"). As of March 31, 2013, there were 44,390,982 OP Units outstanding, 42,683,322 or 96.2% of which were owned by MAA and 1,707,660 of which were owned by the Class A Limited Partners. The increase in OP Units was due primarily to the merger with Colonial Properties Trust. In order to complete the merger, on October 1, 2013, we issued 34,491,396 OP Units.
	MAA, as the sole general partner of MAALP, has full, complete and exclusive discretion to manage and control the business of the Operating Partnership subject to the restrictions specifically contained within the Partnership Agreement. Unless otherwise stated in the Partnership Agreement of MAALP, this power includes, but is not limited to, acquiring, leasing, or disposing of any real property; constructing buildings and making other improvements to properties owned; borrowing money, modifying or extinguishing current borrowings, issuing evidence of indebtedness, and securing such indebtedness by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien on the Operating Partnership's assets; and distribution of Operating Partnership cash or other assets in accordance with the Partnership Agreement. MAA can generally, at its sole discretion, issue and redeem OP Units and determine the consideration to be received or the redemption price to be paid, as applicable. The general partner may delegate these and other powers granted if the general partner remains in supervision of the designee.
	Under the Partnership Agreement, the Operating Partnership may issue Class A OP Units and Class B OP Units. Class A OP Units may only be held by limited partners who are not affiliated with MAA, in its capacity as general partner of the Operating Partnership, while Class B OP Units may only be held by MAA, in its capacity as general partner of the Operating Partnership, and as of March 31, 2014, a total of 4,208,526 Class A OP Units in the Operating Partnership were held by limited partners unaffiliated with MAA, while a total of 75,009,303 Class B OP Units were held by MAA. In general, the limited partners do not have the power to participate in the management or control of the Operating Partnership's business except in limited circumstances including changes in the general partner and protective rights if the general partner acts outside of the provisions provided in the Partnership Agreement. The transferability of Class A OP Units is also limited by the Partnership Agreement.
	Net income is allocated to the general partner and limited partners based on their respective ownership percentages of the Operating Partnership. Issuance or redemption of additional Class A OP Units or Class B OP Units changes the relative ownership percentage of the partners. The issuance of Class B OP Units generally occurs when MAA issues common stock and the proceeds from that issuance are contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for the issuance to MAA of a number of OP Units equal to the number of shares of common stock issued. Likewise, if MAA repurchases or redeems outstanding shares of common stock, the Operating Partnership generally redeems an equal number of Class B OP Units with similar terms held by MAA for a redemption price equal to the purchase price of those shares of common stock. At each reporting period, the allocation between general partner capital and limited partner capital is adjusted to account for the change in the respective percentage ownership of the underlying capital of the Operating Partnership. Holders of the Class A OP Units may require MAA to redeem their Class A OP Units, in which case MAA may, at its option, pay the redemption price either in cash (in an amount per Class A OP Unit equal, in general, to the average closing price of MAA's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange over a specified period prior to the redemption date) or by delivering one share of MAA common stock (subject to adjustment under specified circumstances) for each Class A OP Unit so redeemed.
	At March 31, 2014, a total of 4,208,526 Class A OP Units were outstanding and redeemable for 4,208,526 shares of MAA common stock or approximately $287,316,070, based on the closing price of MAA’s common stock on March 31, 2014 of $68.27 per share, at MAA’s option. At March 31, 2013, a total of 1,707,660 Class A OP Units were outstanding and redeemable for 1,707,660 shares of MAA common stock or approximately $117,931,000, based on the closing price of MAA’s common stock on March 31, 2013 of $69.06 per share, at MAA’s option.
	The Operating Partnership pays the same per unit distribution in respect to the OP Units as the per share dividend MAA pays in respect to its common and preferred stock.

Partners_Capital_of_MidAmerica

Partners' Capital of Mid-America Apartments, L.P. (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Partners' Capital of Mid-America Apartments, L.P. [Abstract]	'
Partners' Capital Notes Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	MAALP Capital
	Total capital and its components for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands, except per unit data):
		Mid-America Apartments, L.P. Unitholders
		Limited Partner			General Partner			Accumulated			Total Partnership Capital
								Other
								Comprehensive
								Income (Loss)
	CAPITAL BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2013	$	166,746		$	2,946,598		$	174		$	3,113,518
	Net income	848			14,866						15,714
	Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)							2,727			2,727
	Issuance of units	—			227						227
	Units repurchased and retired				(285		)				(285		)
	Exercise of unit options				1,775						1,775
	General partner units issued in exchange for limited partner units	(744		)	744						—
	Units issued in exchange from redeemable units				998						998
	Redeemable units fair market value adjustment				(631		)				(631		)
	Adjustment for limited partners' capital at redemption value	(201		)	201						—
	Amortization of unearned compensation				948						948
	Distributions ($0.7300 per unit)	(3,072		)	(54,792		)				(57,864		)
	CAPITAL BALANCE MARCH 31, 2014	$	163,577		$	2,910,649		$	2,901		$	3,077,127
		Mid-America Apartments, L.P. Unitholders
		Limited Partner			General Partner			Accumulated			Total Partnership Capital
								Other
								Comprehensive
								Income (Loss)
	CAPITAL BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2012	$	38,154		$	927,734		$	(26,881	)	$	939,007
	Net income	855			20,938						21,793
	Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)							4,357			4,357
	Issuance of units				22,057						22,057
	Units repurchased and retired				(673		)				(673		)
	General partner units issued in exchange for limited partner units	(443		)	443						—
	Redeemable units fair market value adjustment				(319		)				(319		)
	Adjustment for limited partners capital at redemption value	2,812			(1,450		)				1,362
	Amortization of unearned compensation				630						630
	Distributions ($0.6950 per unit)	(1,187		)	(29,674		)				(30,861		)
	CAPITAL BALANCE MARCH 31, 2013	$	40,191		$	939,686		$	(22,524	)	$	957,353
	Shareholders' Equity of MAA
	On March 31, 2014, 75,009,303 shares of common stock of MAA and 4,208,526 partnership units in the Operating Partnership were issued and outstanding, representing a total of 79,217,829 shares and units. At March 31, 2013, 42,683,322 shares of common stock of MAA and 1,707,660 partnership units in the Operating Partnership were outstanding, representing a total of 44,390,982 shares and units. There were 296,583 outstanding options as of March 31, 2014 compared to zero outstanding options as of March 31, 2013. The primary reason for the increase in shares and units is due to the merger with Colonial. In connection with the merger, on October 1, 2013, we issued 31,916,765 shares and 2,574,631 partnership units.
	On August 26, 2010, we and our Operating Partnership entered into sales agreements with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated to sell up to a combined total of 6,000,000 shares of our common stock, from time to time in at-the-market offerings or negotiated transactions through a controlled equity offering program, or ATM. We terminated this ATM program, and on February 25, 2013, we and our Operating Partnership entered into sales agreements with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and UBS Securities LLC to sell up to 4,500,000 shares of our common stock with materially the same terms as our previous sales agreements.
	During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, we issued no shares through our ATM programs. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we issued 325,166 shares through our ATM programs for net proceeds of $22.0 million. The gross proceeds for these issuances were $22.3 million. We have 4,134,989 shares remaining under our ATM program as of March 31, 2014.
	During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, we issued 340 shares of common stock through the optional cash purchase feature of our Dividend and Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Program, or DRSPP. The issuances resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $23,000. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, we issued 141 shares of common stock through the optional cash purchase feature of our DRSPP resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $10,000.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, 6,554 shares of our common stock were acquired from employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations that arose upon vesting of restricted stock granted pursuant to approved plans. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, 4,582 shares were acquired for these purposes.
	Partners' Capital of Mid-America Apartments, L.P.
	Interests in MAALP are represented by OP Units. As of March 31, 2014, there were 79,217,829 OP Units outstanding, 75,009,303 or 94.7% of which were owned by MAA, MAALP's general partner. The remaining 4,208,526 OP Units were owned by non-affiliated limited partners ("Class A Limited Partners"). As of March 31, 2013, there were 44,390,982 OP Units outstanding, 42,683,322 or 96.2% of which were owned by MAA and 1,707,660 of which were owned by the Class A Limited Partners. The increase in OP Units was due primarily to the merger with Colonial Properties Trust. In order to complete the merger, on October 1, 2013, we issued 34,491,396 OP Units.
	MAA, as the sole general partner of MAALP, has full, complete and exclusive discretion to manage and control the business of the Operating Partnership subject to the restrictions specifically contained within the Partnership Agreement. Unless otherwise stated in the Partnership Agreement of MAALP, this power includes, but is not limited to, acquiring, leasing, or disposing of any real property; constructing buildings and making other improvements to properties owned; borrowing money, modifying or extinguishing current borrowings, issuing evidence of indebtedness, and securing such indebtedness by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien on the Operating Partnership's assets; and distribution of Operating Partnership cash or other assets in accordance with the Partnership Agreement. MAA can generally, at its sole discretion, issue and redeem OP Units and determine the consideration to be received or the redemption price to be paid, as applicable. The general partner may delegate these and other powers granted if the general partner remains in supervision of the designee.
	Under the Partnership Agreement, the Operating Partnership may issue Class A OP Units and Class B OP Units. Class A OP Units may only be held by limited partners who are not affiliated with MAA, in its capacity as general partner of the Operating Partnership, while Class B OP Units may only be held by MAA, in its capacity as general partner of the Operating Partnership, and as of March 31, 2014, a total of 4,208,526 Class A OP Units in the Operating Partnership were held by limited partners unaffiliated with MAA, while a total of 75,009,303 Class B OP Units were held by MAA. In general, the limited partners do not have the power to participate in the management or control of the Operating Partnership's business except in limited circumstances including changes in the general partner and protective rights if the general partner acts outside of the provisions provided in the Partnership Agreement. The transferability of Class A OP Units is also limited by the Partnership Agreement.
	Net income is allocated to the general partner and limited partners based on their respective ownership percentages of the Operating Partnership. Issuance or redemption of additional Class A OP Units or Class B OP Units changes the relative ownership percentage of the partners. The issuance of Class B OP Units generally occurs when MAA issues common stock and the proceeds from that issuance are contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for the issuance to MAA of a number of OP Units equal to the number of shares of common stock issued. Likewise, if MAA repurchases or redeems outstanding shares of common stock, the Operating Partnership generally redeems an equal number of Class B OP Units with similar terms held by MAA for a redemption price equal to the purchase price of those shares of common stock. At each reporting period, the allocation between general partner capital and limited partner capital is adjusted to account for the change in the respective percentage ownership of the underlying capital of the Operating Partnership. Holders of the Class A OP Units may require MAA to redeem their Class A OP Units, in which case MAA may, at its option, pay the redemption price either in cash (in an amount per Class A OP Unit equal, in general, to the average closing price of MAA's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange over a specified period prior to the redemption date) or by delivering one share of MAA common stock (subject to adjustment under specified circumstances) for each Class A OP Unit so redeemed.
	At March 31, 2014, a total of 4,208,526 Class A OP Units were outstanding and redeemable for 4,208,526 shares of MAA common stock or approximately $287,316,070, based on the closing price of MAA’s common stock on March 31, 2014 of $68.27 per share, at MAA’s option. At March 31, 2013, a total of 1,707,660 Class A OP Units were outstanding and redeemable for 1,707,660 shares of MAA common stock or approximately $117,931,000, based on the closing price of MAA’s common stock on March 31, 2013 of $69.06 per share, at MAA’s option.
	The Operating Partnership pays the same per unit distribution in respect to the OP Units as the per share dividend MAA pays in respect to its common and preferred stock.

Legal_Proceedings_Notes

Legal Proceedings (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]	'
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]	'
	Legal Proceedings
	The Company (by virtue of its merger with Colonial) and Colonial LP along with multiple other parties, are named defendants in lawsuits arising out of alleged construction deficiencies with respect to condominium units at Regatta at James Island in Charleston, South Carolina. Regatta at James Island property was developed by certain of the Company's subsidiaries and constructed by Colonial Construction Services, LLC. The condominiums were constructed in 2006 and all 212 units were sold. The lawsuits, one filed on behalf of the condominium homeowners association and one filed by three of the unit owners (purportedly on behalf of all unit owners), were filed in South Carolina state court (Charleston County) in August 2012, against various parties involved in the development and construction of the Regatta at James Island property, including the contractors, subcontractors, architect, developer, and product manufacturers. The plaintiffs are seeking damages resulting primarily from alleged construction deficiencies, but the amount plaintiffs seek to recover has not been disclosed. The lawsuits are currently in discovery. The Company is continuing to investigate the matter and evaluate its options and intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims. No assurance can be given that the matter will be resolved favorably to the Company. The Company has included in its loss contingency an estimate of probable loss in connection with this matter, but currently cannot reasonably estimate any further possible loss, or any range of reasonably possible loss, in connection with this matter.
	The Company (by virtue of its merger with Colonial) and Colonial LP along with multiple other parties, are named defendants in a lawsuit arising out of alleged construction deficiencies with respect to condominium units at Plantation Point in Bluffton, South Carolina. Plantation Point was previously owned and operated by Colonial LP as a multi-family rental project by the name of the Ashley Plantation apartments. Colonial LP sold the property in 2005 to a third party, which then converted the property to condominiums and sold all 414 units. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the condominium homeowners association and a class of unit owners, was filed in South Carolina state court (Beaufort County) in September 2011, against various parties involved in the development, construction and conversion of the Plantation Point property, including the contractors, subcontractors, architect, developer, and product manufacturers. The plaintiffs are seeking $24.7 million in damages resulting from, among other things, alleged construction deficiencies and misleading sales practices attributed to the third-party seller. The lawsuit is currently in discovery. The Company is continuing to investigate the matter and evaluate its options and intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims. No assurance can be given that the matter will be resolved favorably to the Company. The Company has included in its loss contingency an estimate of probable loss in connection with this matter, but currently cannot reasonably estimate any further possible loss, or any range of reasonably possible loss, in connection with this matter.
	On June 19, 2013, a putative class action was filed in the Circuit Court for Jefferson County, Alabama captioned Williams v. Colonial Properties Trust, et al., No. 01-CV-2013-902416.00 (the “Williams Litigation”), seeking, among other things, to enjoin the previously announced combination of MAA and Colonial in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 3, 2013, by and among MAA, the Operating Partnership, Martha Merger Sub, LP, Colonial and Colonial LP. On March 6, 2014 the Court approved the final settlement of the Williams litigation and the Company made the Court-approved immaterial payment to the Plaintiff's attorneys.
	In addition, the Company is subject to various other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business operations. Matters which arise out of allegations of bodily injury, property damage, and employment practices are generally covered by insurance. While the resolution of these other matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management currently believes the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
	Loss Contingencies
	The outcomes of the claims, disputes and legal proceedings described or referenced above are subject to significant uncertainty. The Company records an accrual for loss contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company reviews these accruals quarterly and makes revisions based on changes in facts and circumstances. When a loss contingency is not both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company does not accrue the loss. However, if the loss (or an additional loss in excess of the accrual) is at least a reasonable possibility and material, then the Company discloses a reasonable estimate of the possible loss, or range of loss, if such reasonable estimate can be made. If the Company cannot make a reasonable estimate of the possible loss, or range of loss, then that is disclosed.
	The assessment of whether a loss is probable or a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or range of loss is reasonably estimable, often involve a series of complex judgments about future events. Among the factors that the Company considers in this assessment, including with respect to the matters disclosed in this Note, are the nature of existing legal proceedings and claims, the asserted or possible damages or loss contingency (if reasonably estimable), the progress of the matter, existing law and precedent, the opinions or views of legal counsel and other advisers, the Company's experience in similar matters, the facts available to the Company at the time of assessment, and how the Company intends to respond, or has responded, to the proceeding or claim. The Company's assessment of these factors may change over time as individual proceedings or claims progress. For matters where the Company is not currently able to reasonably estimate a range of reasonably possible loss, the factors that have contributed to this determination include the following: (i) the damages sought are indeterminate, (ii) the proceedings are in the early stages, (iii) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories or a large or uncertain number of actual or potential cases or parties, and/or (iv) discussions with the parties in matters that are expected ultimately to be resolved through negotiation and settlement have not reached the point where the Company believes a reasonable estimate of loss, or range of loss, can be made. In such instances, the Company believes that there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss or business impact, if any.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. We adopted ASU 2014-08 during the period ending March 31, 2014. Due to the early adoption of ASU 2014-08, we did not classify Brookwood Mall, which was sold on March 30, 2014, as a discontinued operation.
	Willow Creek, one of the properties that we sold during the three months ended March 31, 2014, as well as the eight properties sold by us during 2013, have been classified as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. One additional property, Colonial Promenade Nord du Lac, that was classified as held for sale during the first quarter of 2014 was classified as a discontinued operation. Willow Creek and Colonial Promenade Nord du Lac are included in discontinued operations because they were shown in discontinued operations as of December 31, 2013, our latest fiscal year, and thus are not subject to ASU 2014-08.
	The following table lists the communities classified as discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Community	Units/Sq. Ft.	Date Sold	Location	Operating Segment
	Willow Creek	285	January 15, 2014	Columbus, Georgia	Secondary market same store
	Colonial Promenade Nord du Lac	195,536	Held for Sale	New Orleans, Louisiana	Non-same store and other
	The following is a summary of income from continuing and discontinued operations attributable to MAA and noncontrolling interest for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Income from continuing operations:
	Attributable to MAA (1)	$	9,285			$	19,463
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest	534				760
	Income from continuing operations	$	9,819			$	20,223
	Income from discontinued operations:
	Attributable to MAA	$	5,581			$	1,717
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest	314				65
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
	(1) Includes $3.1 million of gains related to the sale of real estate which are not included in continuing operations on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	The following is a summary of earnings from discontinued operations for MAA for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Revenues
	Rental revenues	$	832			$	5,007
	Other revenues	(5		)		439
	Total revenues	827				5,446
	Expenses
	Property operating expenses	314				2,256
	Depreciation and amortization	42				1,237
	Interest expense and other	55				171
	Total expense	411				3,664
	Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	416				1,782
	Net loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations	(2		)		—
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations	5,481				—
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
	The following is a summary of earnings from discontinued operations for MAALP for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Revenues:
	Rental revenues	$	832			$	4,434
	Other revenues	(5		)		391
	Total revenues	827				4,825
	Expenses:
	Property operating expenses	314				1,988
	Depreciation and amortization	42				1,096
	Interest expense and other	55				171
	Total expenses	411				3,255
	Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	416				1,570
	Net loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations	(2		)		—
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations	5,481				—
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,570

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	As of March 31, 2014, we owned or had an ownership interest in 271 multifamily apartment communities in 14 different states from which we derived all significant sources of earnings and operating cash flows. Senior management evaluates performance and determines resource allocations by reviewing apartment communities individually and in the following reportable operating segments:
	•	Large market same store communities are generally communities:
	◦	in markets with a population of at least 1 million and at least 1% of the total public multifamily REIT units; and
	◦	that we have owned and have been stabilized for at least a full 12 months and have not been classified as held for sale.
	•	Secondary market same store communities are generally communities:
	◦	in markets with populations of more than 1 million but less than 1% of the total public multifamily REIT units or in markets with a population of less than 1 million; and
	◦	that we have owned and have been stabilized for at least a full 12 months and have not been classified as held for sale.
	•	Non same store communities and other includes recent acquisitions, communities in development or lease-up and communities that have been identified for disposition. Also included in non same store communities are non multifamily activities, which represent less than 1% of our portfolio.
	On the first day of each calendar year, we determine the composition of our same store operating segments for that year as well as adjusting the previous year, which allows us to evaluate full period-over-period operating comparisons. Properties in development or lease-up will be added to the same store portfolio on the first day of the calendar year after they have been owned and stabilized for at least a full 12 months. Communities are considered stabilized after achieving 90% occupancy for 90 days. Communities that have been identified for disposition are excluded from our same store portfolio. We utilize net operating income, or NOI, a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating the performance of the segments.  Total NOI represents total property revenues less total property operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, for all properties held during the period regardless of their status as held for sale. We believe NOI is a helpful tool in evaluating the operating performance of our segments because it measures the core operations of property performance by excluding corporate level expenses and other items not related to property operating performance.
	Revenues and NOI for each reportable segment for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Revenues
	Large Market Same Store	$	60,453		$	58,125
	Secondary Market Same Store	61,531			60,399
	Non-Same Store and Other	121,406			9,219
	Total property revenues	243,390			127,743
	Management fee income	97			177
	Total operating revenues	$	243,487		$	127,920
	NOI
	Large Market Same Store	$	35,789		$	34,749
	Secondary Market Same Store	37,577			37,074
	Non-Same Store and Other	74,260			8,590
	Total NOI	147,626			80,413
	Discontinued operations NOI included above	(1,599		)	(3,191		)
	Management fee income	97			177
	Depreciation and amortization	(90,013		)	(32,195		)
	Acquisition expense	(11		)	(10		)
	Property management expense	(7,011		)	(5,108		)
	General and administrative expense	(4,342		)	(3,239		)
	Merger related expenses	(2,076		)	—
	Integration costs	(3,842		)	—
	Interest and other non-property income	160			47
	Interest expense	(30,676		)	(15,545		)
	Loss on debt extinguishment/modification	—			(169		)
	Amortization of deferred financing costs	(1,311		)	(804		)
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets excluded from discontinued operations	2,564			—
	Net casualty (loss) gain after insurance and other settlement proceeds	(10		)	16
	Income tax expense	(270		)	(223		)
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557			—
	(Loss) gain from real estate joint ventures	(24		)	54
	Discontinued operations	5,895			1,782
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(848		)	(825		)
	Net income attributable to MAA	$	14,866		$	21,180
	Assets for each reportable segment as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Assets
	Large Market Same Store	$	1,239,787		$	1,252,575
	Secondary Market Same Store	786,393			796,697
	Non-Same Store and Other	4,564,689			4,638,892
	Corporate assets	194,794			153,761
	Total assets	$	6,785,663		$	6,841,925

Real_Estate_Acquisitions_and_D

Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions	'
	Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions
	On January 15, 2014, we closed on the purchase of the 312-unit Grand Cypress apartment community located in Cypress (Houston), Texas. This property was previously a part of our Fund II Joint Venture.
	On January 31, 2014, we closed on the purchase of the 250-unit Venue at Stonebridge Ranch apartment community located in McKinney (Dallas), Texas. This property was previously a part of our Fund II Joint Venture.
	On March 28, 2014, we closed on the sale of two properties, Colonial Brookwood Village, a retail mall, and the CC Brookwood Village office space, both located in Birmingham, Alabama. These properties were acquired as part of the merger with Colonial.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we closed on the sale of two parcels of land located in Birmingham, Alabama, two parcels of land located in Orlando, Florida, and one parcel of land located in Covington, Louisiana. These parcels were acquired as part of the merger with Colonial.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014-08 raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations. It also requires additional disclosures for discontinued operations and new disclosures for individually material disposal transactions that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years; however, early adoption is permitted beginning in the first quarter of 2014. We adopted ASU 2014-08 during the period ending March 31, 2014. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 required us to not classify certain disposals occurring during the first quarter of 2014 as discontinued operations.
	In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU 2013-01 clarifies that the scope of ASU 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, would apply to derivatives accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with ASC 210-20-45 or ASC 815-10-45 or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods. We adopted ASU 2013-01 during the period ended March 31, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2013-01 has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations taken as a whole.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	Financing
	On April 10, 2014, we entered into a forward interest rate swap agreement to effectively lock an additional $50 million in planned future debt transactions. This forward swap had an interest rate of 2.8%.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Prin1

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation and Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]	'
Basis Of Presentation And Principles Of Consolidation Policy [Text Block]	'
	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by our management in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The consolidated financial statements of MAA presented herein include the accounts of MAA, the Operating Partnership, and all other subsidiaries in which MAA has a controlling financial interest. MAA owns approximately 95% to 100% of all consolidated subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements of MAALP presented herein include the accounts of MAALP and all other subsidiaries in which MAALP has a controlling financial interest. MAALP owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of all consolidated subsidiaries. In our opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements have been included, and all such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	We invest in entities which may qualify as variable interest entities, or VIE. A VIE is a legal entity in which the equity investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or, as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack the power to direct the activities of a legal entity as well as the obligation to absorb its expected losses or the right to receive its expected residual returns. We consolidate all VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary and use the equity method to account for investments that qualify as VIEs but for which we are not the primary beneficiary. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consider qualitative and quantitative factors, including but not limited to, those activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and which party controls such activities.
	We use the equity method of accounting for our investments in entities for which we exercise significant influence, but do not have the ability to exercise control. These entities are not variable interest entities. The factors considered in determining that we do not have the ability to exercise control include ownership of voting interests and participatory rights of investors.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivatives and Hedging Activities [Abstract]	'
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Derivatives Not Designated or Qualifying as Hedges [Policy Text Block]	'
	Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company's exposure to interest rate movements and other identified risks but do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements of FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in earnings and resulted in a loss of $69,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and a loss of $13,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Consolidation_and_Basis_of_Pre

Consolidation and Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Real Estate Properties [Table Text Block]	'
	As of March 31, 2014, we owned and operated 269 apartment communities comprising 82,730 apartments located in 14 states principally through the Operating Partnership and we also owned an interest in the following unconsolidated real estate joint ventures:
		Percent Owned	Number of Units/Square Feet
	Multifamily:
	Mid-America Multifamily Fund II, LLC (Fund II)	33.33%	594	(1)
	Belterra	10.00%	288	(2)
	McKinney	25.00%	—	(3)
	Commercial:
	Land Title Building	33.30%	29,971
	(1) This joint venture is comprised of two apartment communities.
	(2) This joint venture is not managed by MAA and is not included in our property totals.
	(3) This joint venture consists of undeveloped land.

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation [Table Text Block]	'
	The allocation of the purchase price described above requires a significant amount of judgment. The following purchase price allocation was based on our valuation, estimates and assumptions of the acquisition date fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. While the current allocation of the purchase price is substantially complete, the valuation of the real estate properties and certain other assets and liabilities is in the process of being finalized. We do not expect future revisions, if any, to have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.
	The purchase price was allocated as follows (in thousands):
	Land	$	469,396
	Buildings and improvements	3,075,642
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	96,377
	Development and capital improvements in progress	113,368
	Undeveloped land	58,400
	Properties held for sale	33,300
	Lease intangible assets	57,946
	Cash and cash equivalents	63,454
	Restricted cash	6,825
	Deferred costs and other assets, excluding lease intangible assets	87,713
	Total assets acquired	4,062,421
	Notes payable	-1,759,550
	Fair market value of interest rate swaps	-14,961
	Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities	-125,034
	Total liabilities assumed, including debt	(1,899,545		)
	Total purchase price	$	2,162,876

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_of_M1

Earnings Per Common Share of MAA Earnings Per Common Share of MAA (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Common Share of MAA [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)	Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Shares Outstanding
	Weighted average common shares - basic	74,803				42,354
	Weighted average partnership units outstanding	—			(1)	1,715
	Effect of dilutive securities	—			(1)	80
	Weighted average common shares - diluted	74,803				44,149
	Calculation of Earnings per Share - basic
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets excluded from discontinued operations	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(534		)		(760		)
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)		(18		)
	Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	9,268			$	19,445
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(314		)		(65		)
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)		(2		)
	Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	5,571			$	1,715
	Weighted average common shares - basic	74,803				42,354
	Earnings per share - basic	$	0.2			$	0.5
	Calculation of Earnings per Share - diluted
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(534		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	9,268			$	20,223
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(314		)	(1)	—
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)	(1)	—
	Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	5,571			$	1,782
	Weighted average common shares - diluted	74,803				44,149
	Earnings per share - diluted	$	0.2			$	0.5
	(1) Operating partnership units, other dilutive securities, and the related income with each are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as they were not dilutive.
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per unit computations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is presented below:
	(dollars and units in thousands, except per unit amounts)	Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Units Outstanding
	Weighted average common units - basic	79,023				44,109
	Effect of dilutive securities	—			(1)	80
	Weighted average common units - diluted	79,023				44,189
	Calculation of Earnings per Unit - basic
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets excluded from discontinued operations	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)		(18		)
	Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	9,802			$	20,205
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,570
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)		(1		)
	Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	5,885			$	1,569
	Weighted average common units - basic	79,023				44,109
	Earnings per unit - basic:	$	0.2			$	0.49
	Calculation of Earnings per Unit - diluted
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	9,802			$	20,223
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,570
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)	(1)	—
	Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	5,885			$	1,570
	Weighted average common units - diluted	79,023				44,189
	Earnings per unit - diluted:	$	0.2			$	0.49
(1) Dilutive securities and the related income are not included in the diluted earnings per unit calculations as they were not dilutive.

Earnings_Per_OP_Unit_of_MAALP_1

Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)	Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Shares Outstanding
	Weighted average common shares - basic	74,803				42,354
	Weighted average partnership units outstanding	—			(1)	1,715
	Effect of dilutive securities	—			(1)	80
	Weighted average common shares - diluted	74,803				44,149
	Calculation of Earnings per Share - basic
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets excluded from discontinued operations	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(534		)		(760		)
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)		(18		)
	Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	9,268			$	19,445
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(314		)		(65		)
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)		(2		)
	Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	5,571			$	1,715
	Weighted average common shares - basic	74,803				42,354
	Earnings per share - basic	$	0.2			$	0.5
	Calculation of Earnings per Share - diluted
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(534		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	9,268			$	20,223
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(314		)	(1)	—
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)	(1)	—
	Income from discontinued operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$	5,571			$	1,782
	Weighted average common shares - diluted	74,803				44,149
	Earnings per share - diluted	$	0.2			$	0.5
	(1) Operating partnership units, other dilutive securities, and the related income with each are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as they were not dilutive.
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per unit computations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is presented below:
	(dollars and units in thousands, except per unit amounts)	Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Units Outstanding
	Weighted average common units - basic	79,023				44,109
	Effect of dilutive securities	—			(1)	80
	Weighted average common units - diluted	79,023				44,189
	Calculation of Earnings per Unit - basic
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets excluded from discontinued operations	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)		(18		)
	Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	9,802			$	20,205
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,570
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)		(1		)
	Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	5,885			$	1,569
	Weighted average common units - basic	79,023				44,109
	Earnings per unit - basic:	$	0.2			$	0.49
	Calculation of Earnings per Unit - diluted
	Income from continuing operations	$	6,698			$	20,223
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets	2,564				—
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557				—
	Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(17		)	(1)	—
	Income from continuing operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	9,802			$	20,223
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,570
	Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(10		)	(1)	—
	Income from discontinued operations available for common unitholders, adjusted	$	5,885			$	1,570
	Weighted average common units - diluted	79,023				44,189
	Earnings per unit - diluted:	$	0.2			$	0.49
(1) Dilutive securities and the related income are not included in the diluted earnings per unit calculations as they were not dilutive.

MAA_Equity_Tables

MAA Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014																	Mar. 31, 2013
MAA Equity [Abstract]	'																	'
Shareholders' Equity [Table Text Block]	'																	'
	Total equity and its components for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share and per unit data):
																			Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Shareholders
																			Common		Additional			Accumulated			Accumulated			Noncontrolling			Total
		Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. Shareholders																	Stock		Paid-In			Distributions			Other			Interest			Equity
		Common		Additional			Accumulated			Accumulated		Noncontrolling			Total				Amount		Capital			in Excess of			Comprehensive
		Stock		Paid-In			Distributions			Other		Interest			Equity									Net Income			Income (Loss)
		Amount		Capital			in Excess of			Comprehensive								EQUITY BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2012	$	422	$	1,542,999		$	(603,315	)	$	(26,054	)	$	31,058		$	945,110
							Net Income			Income (Loss)
	EQUITY BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2013	$	747	$	3,599,549		$	(653,593	)	$	108	$	166,726		$	3,113,537		Net income						21,180						825			22,005
	Net income						14,866					848			15,714			Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)									4,185			178			4,363
	Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)									2,583		144			2,727			Issuance and registration of common shares	3		22,055												22,058
	Issuance and registration of common shares	1		226											227			Shares repurchased and retired	—		(673		)										(673		)
	Shares repurchased and retired	—		(285		)									(285		)	Shares issued in exchange for units	1		442									(443		)	—
	Exercise of stock options	1		1,774											1,775			Redeemable stock fair market value						(319		)							(319		)
	Shares issued in exchange for units	—		744								(744		)	—			Adjustment for noncontrolling interest ownership in operating partnership			302									(302		)	—
	Shares issued in exchange from redeemable stock			998											998			Amortization of unearned compensation			630												630
	Redeemable stock fair market value						(631		)						(631		)	Dividends on common stock ($0.6950 per share)						(29,674		)				—			(29,674		)
	Adjustment for noncontrolling interest ownership in operating partnership			163								(163		)	—
																		Dividends on noncontrolling interest units ($0.6950 per unit)												(1,187		)	(1,187		)
	Amortization of unearned compensation			948											948
																		EQUITY BALANCE MARCH 31, 2013	$	426	$	1,565,755		$	(612,128	)	$	(21,869	)	$	30,129		$	962,313
	Dividends on common stock ($0.7300 per share)						(54,792		)			—			(54,792		)
	Dividends on noncontrolling interest units ($0.7300 per unit)											(3,072		)	(3,072		)
	EQUITY BALANCE MARCH 31, 2014	$	749	$	3,604,117		$	(694,150	)	$	2,691	$	163,739		$	3,077,146

MAALP_Capital_Tables

MAALP Capital (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014												Mar. 31, 2013
MAALP Capital [Abstract]	'												'
Partners' Capital [Table Text Block]	'												'
	Total capital and its components for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands, except per unit data):
														Mid-America Apartments, L.P. Unitholders
														Limited Partner			General Partner			Accumulated			Total Partnership Capital
		Mid-America Apartments, L.P. Unitholders																		Other
		Limited Partner			General Partner			Accumulated		Total Partnership Capital										Comprehensive
								Other												Income (Loss)
								Comprehensive					CAPITAL BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2012	$	38,154		$	927,734		$	(26,881	)	$	939,007
								Income (Loss)
	CAPITAL BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2013	$	166,746		$	2,946,598		$	174	$	3,113,518		Net income	855			20,938						21,793
	Net income	848			14,866					15,714			Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)							4,357			4,357
	Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments (cash flow hedges)							2,727		2,727			Issuance of units				22,057						22,057
	Issuance of units	—			227					227			Units repurchased and retired				(673		)				(673		)
													General partner units issued in exchange for limited partner units	(443		)	443						—
	Units repurchased and retired				(285		)			(285		)
	Exercise of unit options				1,775					1,775			Redeemable units fair market value adjustment				(319		)				(319		)
													Adjustment for limited partners capital at redemption value	2,812			(1,450		)				1,362
	General partner units issued in exchange for limited partner units	(744		)	744					—
													Amortization of unearned compensation				630						630
	Units issued in exchange from redeemable units				998					998
													Distributions ($0.6950 per unit)	(1,187		)	(29,674		)				(30,861		)
	Redeemable units fair market value adjustment				(631		)			(631		)	CAPITAL BALANCE MARCH 31, 2013	$	40,191		$	939,686		$	(22,524	)	$	957,353
	Adjustment for limited partners' capital at redemption value	(201		)	201					—
	Amortization of unearned compensation				948					948
	Distributions ($0.7300 per unit)	(3,072		)	(54,792		)			(57,864		)
	CAPITAL BALANCE MARCH 31, 2014	$	163,577		$	2,910,649		$	2,901	$	3,077,127

Notes_Payable_Tables

Notes Payable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Debt Structure [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes our outstanding debt structure as of March 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
		Borrowed		Effective		Contract
		Balance		Rate		Maturity
	Fixed Rate Secured Debt
	Individual property mortgages	$	1,124,500	4	%	4/11/19
	FNMA conventional credit facilities	50,000		4.7	%	3/31/17
	Credit facility balances with:
	LIBOR-based interest rate swaps	167,000		5.2	%	10/27/14
	Total fixed rate secured debt	$	1,341,500	4.2	%	8/24/18
	Variable Rate Secured Debt (1)
	FNMA conventional credit facilities	$	171,785	0.7	%	1/31/17
	FNMA tax-free credit facilities	88,370		0.9	%	7/23/31
	Freddie Mac credit facilities	156,247		0.7	%	7/1/14
	Freddie Mac mortgage	27,259		3.3	%	10/31/15
	Total variable rate secured debt	$	443,661	0.9	%	12/24/18
	Total Secured Debt	$	1,785,161	3.4	%	9/23/18
	Unsecured Debt
	Term loan fixed with swaps	550,000		3.1	%	11/10/17
	Fixed rate senior bonds	1,127,898		5	%	9/23/19
	Total Unsecured Debt	$	1,677,898	4.3	%	2/11/19
	Total Outstanding Debt	$	3,463,059	3.8	%	6/24/18
	(1) Includes capped balances.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	The chart below shows the change in the balance for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component
			Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements Of Operations		Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
					For the three months ended March 31,
					2014				2013
	Beginning balance				$	108			$	(26,054	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications				(997		)		(179		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (interest rate contracts)		Interest (income)/expense		3,725				4,545
	Net current-period other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest				(145		)		(181		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income attributable to MAA				2,583				4,185
	Ending balance				$	2,691			$	(21,869	)
Outstanding Interest Rate Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk	'
	As of March 31, 2014, we had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk:
	Interest Rate Derivative		Number of Instruments		Notional
	Interest Rate Caps		7		$	180,000,000
	Interest Rate Swaps (1)		14		$	717,000,000
	(1) Excludes four forward rate swaps totaling $200 million where the debt has not yet been issued. These swaps are not included in our debt discussion in MD&A or Item 1. Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7.
Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]	'
	As of March 31, 2014, we had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives that were not designated as hedges:
	Interest Rate Derivative		Number of Instruments		Notional
	Interest rate caps		15		$	134,326,000
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
	The table below presents a gross presentation, the effects of offsetting, and a net presentation of our derivatives as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The net amounts of derivative assets or liabilities can be reconciled to the Tabular Disclosure of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments above, which also provides the location that derivative assets and liabilities are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (dollars in thousands):
	Offsetting of Derivative Assets
	As of March 31, 2014
													Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets				Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position				Net Amounts of Assets presented in the Statement of Financial Position			Financial Instruments				Cash Collateral Received				Net Amount
	Derivatives	$	524			$	—			$	524		$	(97	)		$	—			$	427
	Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities
	As of March 31, 2014
													Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities				Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position				Net Amounts of Liabilities presented in the Statement of Financial Position			Financial Instruments				Cash Collateral Posted				Net Amount
	Derivatives	$	17,937			$	—			$	17,937		$	(97	)		$	—			$	17,840
	Offsetting of Derivative Assets
	As of December 31, 2013
													Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets				Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position				Net Amounts of Assets presented in the Statement of Financial Position			Financial Instruments				Cash Collateral Received				Net Amount
	Derivatives	$	444			$	—			$	444		$	—			$	—			$	444
	Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities
	As of December 31, 2013
													Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities				Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position				Net Amounts of Liabilities presented in the Statement of Financial Position			Financial Instruments				Cash Collateral Posted				Net Amount
	Derivatives	$	20,015			$	—			$	20,015		$	—			$	—			$	20,015
	The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2014 and
	December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands)
			Asset Derivatives									Liability Derivatives
					March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013					March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments		Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value				Fair Value			Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value				Fair Value
	Interest rate contracts		Other assets		$	441			$	396		Fair market value of interest rate swaps		$	17,937			$	20,015
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments				$	441			$	396				$	17,937			$	20,015
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	Interest rate contracts		Other assets		$	83			$	49				$	—			$	—
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments				$	83			$	49				$	—			$	—
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statement of Operations	'
	The table below presents the effect of our derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
	Three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands)
	Derivatives in Cash Flow		Amount of								Location of Gain or	Amount of								Location of Gain or		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on
	Hedging Relationships		Gain or (Loss)								(Loss) Reclassified	Gain or (Loss)								(Loss) Recognized in		Derivative (Ineffective
			Recognized in								from Accumulated	Reclassified from								Income on Derivative		Portion and Amount
			OCI on Derivative								OCI into Income	Accumulated								(Ineffective Portion and		Excluded from
			(Effective Portion)								(Effective Portion)	OCI into Income								Amount Excluded from		Effectiveness Testing)
												(Effective Portion)								Effectiveness Testing)
	Three months ended March 31,		2014				2013					2014				2013						2014			2013
	Interest rate contracts		$	(997	)		$	(179	)		Interest expense	$	(3,725	)		$	(4,545	)		Interest expense		$	(4	)	$	4
	Total derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships		$	(997	)		$	(179	)			$	(3,725	)		$	(4,545	)				$	(4	)	$	4
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Three months ended March 31,																			Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income		2014			2013
	Interest rate contracts																			Interest expense		$	(69	)	$	(13	)
	Total																					$	(69	)	$	(13	)

Fair_Value_Disclosure_of_Finan1

Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]

'

'

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

'

'

The table below presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis at December 31, 2013

(dollars in thousands)

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis at March 31, 2014

(dollars in thousands)

Quoted Prices in

Significant

Significant

Balance at

Active Markets for

Other

Unobservable

Quoted Prices in

Significant

Significant

Balance at

Identical Assets

Observable

Inputs (Level 3)

Active Markets for

Other

Unobservable

and Liabilities

Inputs (Level 2)

Identical Assets

Observable

Inputs (Level 3)

(Level 1)

December 31, 2013

and Liabilities

Inputs (Level 2)

Assets

(Level 1)

March 31, 2014

Assets

Derivative financial instruments

$

—

$

444

$

—

$

444

Derivative financial instruments

$

—

$

524

$

—

$

524

Liabilities

Liabilities

Derivative financial instruments

$

—

$

20,015

$

—

$

20,015

Derivative financial instruments

$

—

$

17,937

$

—

$

17,937

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Discontinued Operation Properties Sold [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table lists the communities classified as discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Community	Units/Sq. Ft.	Date Sold	Location	Operating Segment
	Willow Creek	285	January 15, 2014	Columbus, Georgia	Secondary market same store
	Colonial Promenade Nord du Lac	195,536	Held for Sale	New Orleans, Louisiana	Non-same store and other
Schedule of Income from Continuing and Discontinued Operations Attributable to MAA and Noncontrolling Interest [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a summary of income from continuing and discontinued operations attributable to MAA and noncontrolling interest for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Income from continuing operations:
	Attributable to MAA (1)	$	9,285			$	19,463
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest	534				760
	Income from continuing operations	$	9,819			$	20,223
	Income from discontinued operations:
	Attributable to MAA	$	5,581			$	1,717
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest	314				65
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
Parent Company [Member]	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Summary of Discontinued Operations	'
	The following is a summary of earnings from discontinued operations for MAA for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Revenues
	Rental revenues	$	832			$	5,007
	Other revenues	(5		)		439
	Total revenues	827				5,446
	Expenses
	Property operating expenses	314				2,256
	Depreciation and amortization	42				1,237
	Interest expense and other	55				171
	Total expense	411				3,664
	Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	416				1,782
	Net loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations	(2		)		—
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations	5,481				—
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,782
Limited Partner [Member]	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Summary of Discontinued Operations	'
	The following is a summary of earnings from discontinued operations for MAALP for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Revenues:
	Rental revenues	$	832			$	4,434
	Other revenues	(5		)		391
	Total revenues	827				4,825
	Expenses:
	Property operating expenses	314				1,988
	Depreciation and amortization	42				1,096
	Interest expense and other	55				171
	Total expenses	411				3,255
	Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	416				1,570
	Net loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations	(2		)		—
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations	5,481				—
	Income from discontinued operations	$	5,895			$	1,570

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment	'
	Revenues and NOI for each reportable segment for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Revenues
	Large Market Same Store	$	60,453		$	58,125
	Secondary Market Same Store	61,531			60,399
	Non-Same Store and Other	121,406			9,219
	Total property revenues	243,390			127,743
	Management fee income	97			177
	Total operating revenues	$	243,487		$	127,920
	NOI
	Large Market Same Store	$	35,789		$	34,749
	Secondary Market Same Store	37,577			37,074
	Non-Same Store and Other	74,260			8,590
	Total NOI	147,626			80,413
	Discontinued operations NOI included above	(1,599		)	(3,191		)
	Management fee income	97			177
	Depreciation and amortization	(90,013		)	(32,195		)
	Acquisition expense	(11		)	(10		)
	Property management expense	(7,011		)	(5,108		)
	General and administrative expense	(4,342		)	(3,239		)
	Merger related expenses	(2,076		)	—
	Integration costs	(3,842		)	—
	Interest and other non-property income	160			47
	Interest expense	(30,676		)	(15,545		)
	Loss on debt extinguishment/modification	—			(169		)
	Amortization of deferred financing costs	(1,311		)	(804		)
	Gain on sale of depreciable assets excluded from discontinued operations	2,564			—
	Net casualty (loss) gain after insurance and other settlement proceeds	(10		)	16
	Income tax expense	(270		)	(223		)
	Gain on sale of non-depreciable assets	557			—
	(Loss) gain from real estate joint ventures	(24		)	54
	Discontinued operations	5,895			1,782
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(848		)	(825		)
	Net income attributable to MAA	$	14,866		$	21,180
Assets for Reportable Segment	'
	Assets for each reportable segment as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Assets
	Large Market Same Store	$	1,239,787		$	1,252,575
	Secondary Market Same Store	786,393			796,697
	Non-Same Store and Other	4,564,689			4,638,892
	Corporate assets	194,794			153,761
	Total assets	$	6,785,663		$	6,841,925

Consolidation_and_Basis_of_Pre1

Consolidation and Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
	Communities
	Property
	States
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	75,009,303		42,683,322
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest	94.70%		96.20%
Number of Wholly Owned Real Estate Properties	269		'
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	271		'
Number of apartments included in a community	82,730		'
Number of states in which apartment units are located	14		'
Percentage Of Ownership Interests	100.00%		'
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted	0.36		'
Commercial Real Estate [Member]	'		'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	3		'
Square Footage of Real Estate Property	287,000		'
Development Properties [Member]	'		'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
Number of units under development community	999		'
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	4		'
Number of apartments included in a community	305		'
Under Development	'		'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	4		'
Square Footage of Real Estate Property	100,000		'
Expected Costs [Member] | Development Properties [Member]	'		'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
Capital improvements in progress	146,000		'
Costs Incurred to Date [Member] | Development Properties [Member]	'		'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
Capital improvements in progress	98,700		'
Maximum [Member]	'		'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
Percentage Of Ownership Interests	100.00%		'
Minimum [Member]	'		'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
Percentage Of Ownership Interests	95.00%		'
Belterra [Member]	'		'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.00%		'
Real Estate Acquired, Number of Units	288	[1]	'
Mid America Multifamily Fund I I L L C [Member]	'		'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	33.33%		'
Real Estate Acquired, Number of Units	594	[2]	'
Colonial Grand at McKinney [Member]	'		'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	25.00%		'
Real Estate Acquired, Number of Units	0	[3]	'
Building Partnership 600 [Member]	'		'
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'		'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	33.30%		'
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	1		'
Square Footage of Real Estate Property	29,971		'
[1]	(2) This joint venture is not managed by MAA and is not included in our property totals.
[2]	(1) This joint venture is comprised of two apartment communities.
[3]	(3) This joint venture consists of undeveloped land.

Business_Combinations_Textual_

Business Combinations (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Combinations, Conversion Rate of Shares and Units	36.00%
Business Combinations, Other Consideration	$7,300,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	31,916,765
Parent Company [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Combination, Merger and Integration Related Expenses	5,900,000
Parent Company [Member] | Colonial [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Real Estate Acquired, Number of Units	34,370
Number of Apartment Communities Acquired in Real Estate Property	115
Number of Commercial Properties Acquired in Real Estate Property	4
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price	$2,162,876,000
Share Price	$62.56
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	31,900,000
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	2,574,631
Commercial [Member] | Parent Company [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Square Footage of Real Estate Property	806,000

Business_Combinations_Purchase

Business Combinations Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (Parent Company [Member], Colonial [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Assets Acquired	$4,062,421
Business Acquisition, PPA, Liabilities Assumed	1,899,545
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price	2,162,876
Land [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Assets Acquired	469,396
Building and Building Improvements [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Assets Acquired	3,075,642
Furniture Fixtures And Equipment [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Assets Acquired	96,377
Construction in Progress [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Assets Acquired	113,368
Unimproved Land [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Assets Acquired	58,400
Assets Held-for-sale [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Assets Acquired	33,300
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Assets Acquired	57,946
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Assets Acquired	63,454
Restricted Cash [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Assets Acquired	6,825
Other assets	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Assets Acquired	87,713
Debt [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Liabilities Assumed	1,759,550
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value [Domain]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Liabilities Assumed	14,961
Other Liabilities [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition, PPA, Liabilities Assumed	$125,034

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_of_M2

Earnings Per Common Share of MAA (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$9,819		$20,223
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	534		760
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	314		65
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	5,895		1,782
Parent Company [Member]	'		'
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'
Weighted average partnership units outstanding	0	[1]	1,715
Effect of dilutive securities	0	[1]	80
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	74,803		44,149
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	6,698		20,223
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment	2,564		0
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	557		0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-534	[1]	-760
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	-17		-18
Adjusted Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Available for Common Shareholders, Basic	9,268		19,445
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-314	[1]	-65
Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	-10		-2
Adjusted Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations Available for Common Shareholders, Basic	5,571		1,715
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	74,803		42,354
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$0.20		$0.50
Income from Continuing Operations Allocated to Unvested Restricted Shares, Diluted	-17	[1]	'
Adjusted Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Available for Common Shareholders, Diluted	9,268		'
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	5,895		1,782
Income from Discontinued Operations Allocated to Unvested Restricted Shares, Diluted	-10	[1]	'
Adjusted Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations Available for Common Shareholders, Diluted	5,571		'
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$0.20		$0.50
Antidilutive [Member] | Parent Company [Member]	'		'
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'		20,223
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'		0
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'		0
Income from Continuing Operations Allocated to Unvested Restricted Shares, Diluted	'		0
Adjusted Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Available for Common Shareholders, Diluted	'		20,223
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'		1,782
Income from Discontinued Operations Allocated to Unvested Restricted Shares, Diluted	'		0
Adjusted Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations Available for Common Shareholders, Diluted	'		$1,782
[1]	(1) Operating partnership units, other dilutive securities, and the related income with each are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as they were not dilutive.

Earnings_Per_OP_Unit_of_MAALP_2

Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP Statement (details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$9,819		$20,223
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	5,895		1,782
Limited Partner [Member]	'		'
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'
Weighted Average Number of Limited Partnership and General Partnership Unit Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	79,023		44,109
Effect of dilutive securities	0	[1]	80
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	79,023		44,189
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$0.20		$0.49
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	6,698		20,223
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment	2,564		0
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	557		0
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	-17		-18
Income from Continuing Operations Allocated to Unvested Restricted Shares, Diluted	-17	[1]	0
Adjusted Income (loss) from continuing operations available for common unitholders, basic and diluted	9,802		20,205
Adjusted Income (loss) from Continuing Operations Available for Common Unitholders, diluted	9,802		20,223
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	5,895		1,570
Income from discontinued operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	-10		-1
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, diluted	-10	[1]	0
Adjusted Income (loss) from discontinued operations available for common unitholders, diluted	5,885		1,570
Adjusted Income (loss) from discontinued operations available for common unitholders, basic and diluted	$5,885		$1,569
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$0.12		$0.46
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	$0.12		$0.46
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	$0.08		$0.03
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$0.20		$0.49
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	$0.08		$0.03
[1]	(1) Dilutive securities and the related income are not included in the diluted earnings per unit calculations as they were not dilutive.

MAA_Equity_Details

MAA Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to MAA	$14,866,000	$21,180,000	'	'
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,077,146,000	962,313,000	3,113,537,000	945,110,000
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	15,714,000	22,005,000	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	2,727,000	4,363,000	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	227,000	22,058,000	'	'
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	-285,000	-673,000	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	1,775,000	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Units	0	0	'	'
Stock Issued in Exchange for Redeemable Stock	998,000	'	'	'
Effect On Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Due To Fair Value Option And Measurement	-631,000	-319,000	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	0	'	'
Amortization Unearned Compensation	948,000	630,000	'	'
Dividends, Common Stock	-54,792,000	-29,674,000	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	-3,072,000	-1,187,000	'	'
Parent Company [Member] | Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	749,000	426,000	747,000	422,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	1,000	3,000	'	'
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	0	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	1,000	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Units	0	1,000	'	'
Parent Company [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	'	'	'	'
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,604,117,000	1,565,755,000	3,599,549,000	1,542,999,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	226,000	22,055,000	'	'
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	285,000	-673,000	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	1,774,000	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Units	744,000	442,000	'	'
Stock Issued in Exchange for Redeemable Stock	998,000	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)	163,000	302,000	'	'
Amortization Unearned Compensation	948,000	630,000	'	'
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-694,150,000	-612,128,000	-653,593,000	-603,315,000
Net income attributable to MAA	14,866,000	21,180,000	'	'
Effect On Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Due To Fair Value Option And Measurement	631,000	-319,000	'	'
Dividends, Common Stock	54,792,000	29,674,000	'	'
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,691,000	-21,869,000	108,000	-26,054,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	2,583,000	4,185,000	'	'
Parent Company [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	163,739,000	30,129,000	166,726,000	31,058,000
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	848,000	825,000	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	144,000	178,000	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Units	-744,000	-443,000	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)	-163,000	-302,000	'	'
Dividends, Common Stock	0	0	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	($3,072,000)	($1,187,000)	'	'

MAA_Equity_Parenthetical_Detai

MAA Equity Parenthetical (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Equity Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	'	$0.70
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit	$0.73	$0.70
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Equity Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$0.73	$0.70

MAALP_Capital_Details

MAALP Capital (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Capital Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Partnership units issued in exchange for redeemable units	$998	'	'	'
Limited Partner [Member]	'	'	'	'
Capital Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	15,714	21,793	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]	'	'	'	'
Capital Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	163,577	40,191	166,746	'
Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	848	855	'	'
Units Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	0	'	'	'
General Partnership Units Issued in Exchange for Limited Partnership Units	-744	-443	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)	-201	2,812	'	'
Distributions	-3,072	-1,187	'	'
General Partners' Capital Account [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]	'	'	'	'
Capital Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,910,649	939,686	2,946,598	927,734
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	14,866	20,938	'	'
Units Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	227	22,057	'	'
Units Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	-285	-673	'	'
Units Issued During Period, Value, Unit Options Exercised	-1,775	'	'	'
General Partnership Units Issued in Exchange for Limited Partnership Units	744	443	'	'
Effect On Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Due To Fair Value Option And Measurement	-631	-319	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)	201	-1,450	'	'
Amortization Unearned Compensation	948	630	'	'
Distributions	-54,792	-29,674	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]	'	'	'	'
Capital Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,901	-22,524	174	-26,881
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	2,727	4,357	'	'
Total Partnership Capital [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]	'	'	'	'
Capital Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,077,127	957,353	3,113,518	939,007
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	15,714	21,793	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	2,727	4,357	'	'
Units Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	227	22,057	'	'
Units Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	-285	-673	'	'
Units Issued During Period, Value, Unit Options Exercised	-1,775	'	'	'
General Partnership Units Issued in Exchange for Limited Partnership Units	0	0	'	'
Effect On Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Due To Fair Value Option And Measurement	-631	-319	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	1,362	'	'
Amortization Unearned Compensation	948	630	'	'
Distributions	($57,864)	($30,861)	'	'

MAALP_Capital_Parenthetical_De

MAALP Capital Parenthetical (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Capital Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit	$0.73	$0.70
Limited Partner [Member]	'	'
Capital Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit	$0.73	$0.70

Notes_Payable_Additional_Infor

Notes Payable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Oct. 16, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Oct. 16, 2013

Aug. 07, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 13, 2013

Dec. 13, 2013

Dec. 13, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 13, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 13, 2013

Dec. 13, 2013

Dec. 13, 2013

Oct. 16, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Oct. 16, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Interest Rate Forward Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Forward Swap [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Colonial [Member]

Colonial [Member]

Colonial [Member]

Limited Partner [Member]

Limited Partner [Member]

Limited Partner [Member]

Limited Partner [Member]

Limited Partner [Member]

Limited Partner [Member]

Limited Partner [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Contract

Senior Guaranteed Notes

Senior Guaranteed Notes

$500 million unsecured revolving credit faciltiy [Member] [Member]

Variable Rate Debt

Fixed Rate Debt

Variable Rate Debt

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Caps

Interest Rate Caps

6.25% Senior Notes due 2014 [Domain]

5.5% Senior Notes due 2015 [Domain]

6.05% Senior Notes due 2016 [Domain]

Exchange Notes [Domain]

6.25% Senior Notes due 2014 [Domain]

5.5% Senior Notes due 2015 [Domain]

6.05% Senior Notes due 2016 [Domain]

Senior Guaranteed Notes

$500 million unsecured revolving credit faciltiy [Member] [Member]

Senior Guaranteed Notes

$500 million unsecured revolving credit faciltiy [Member] [Member]

Contract

Contract

Contract

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes Payable

$3,463,059,000

$3,470,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$1,785,161,000

$1,341,500,000

$443,661,000

$1,677,898,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

350,000,000

500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.25%

5.50%

6.05%

'

'

'

'

6.25%

5.50%

6.05%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash Received from Notes Exchange

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

975,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Covenant Obligation, Debt to Total Asset Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

60.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Covenant Obligation, Secured Debt to Total Asset Value Ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Covenant Obligation, Fixed Charge Ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150.00%

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

Covenant Obligation, Unencumbered Leverage Ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

150.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Additional Interest, Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Issue Price

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.99047

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment Banking, Advisory, Brokerage, and Underwriting Fees and Commissions

'

'

'

'

'

2,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Notes Payable

'

'

'

'

'

344,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

344,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Interest Rate Derivatives Held

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.90%

'

1.70%

'

'

'

Secured credit facility as a Percentage of outstanding debt

18.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Number of Instruments Held

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14

7

15

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage

3.80%

'

'

4.15%

4.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate Principal Amount of Notes Exchanged

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

154,235,000

169,161,000

68,130,000

'

'

'

'

154,235,000

169,112,000

68,130,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Notional Amount

'

'

$150,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$717,000,000

$180,000,000

$134,326,000

Debt_Structure_Detail

Debt Structure (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	$3,463,059	$3,470,000
Effective Rate	3.80%	'
Contract Maturity	24-Jun-18	'
Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Effective Rate	4.30%	'
Contract Maturity	11-Feb-19	'
Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Effective Rate	3.40%	'
Contract Maturity	23-Sep-18	'
Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	1,785,161	'
Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	1,677,898	'
Fixed Rate Debt | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Effective Rate	4.20%	'
Contract Maturity	24-Aug-18	'
Fixed Rate Debt | Term Fixed Loan With Swaps [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	550,000	'
Effective Rate	3.10%	'
Contract Maturity	10-Nov-17	'
Fixed Rate Debt | Senior Notes [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	1,127,898	'
Effective Rate	5.00%	'
Contract Maturity	23-Sep-19	'
Fixed Rate Debt | L I B O R [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	167,000	'
Effective Rate	5.20%	'
Contract Maturity	27-Oct-14	'
Fixed Rate Debt | Individual Property Mortgages [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	1,124,500	'
Effective Rate	4.00%	'
Contract Maturity	11-Apr-19	'
Fixed Rate Debt | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	1,341,500	'
Variable Rate Debt | Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	0	'
Variable Rate Debt | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Effective Rate	0.90%	'
Contract Maturity	24-Dec-18	'
Variable Rate Debt | Mortgages [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	27,259	'
Effective Rate	3.30%	'
Variable Rate Debt | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	443,661	'
FNMA | Fixed Rate Debt | Conventional Credit Facility [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	50,000	'
Effective Rate	4.70%	'
Contract Maturity	31-Mar-17	'
FNMA | Variable Rate Debt | Conventional Credit Facility [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	171,785	'
Effective Rate	0.70%	'
Contract Maturity	31-Jan-17	'
FNMA | Variable Rate Debt | Tax Free Credit Facility [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	88,370	'
Effective Rate	0.90%	'
Contract Maturity	23-Jul-31	'
Freddie Mac | Variable Rate Debt | Conventional Credit Facility [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total Outstanding Debt	$156,247	'
Effective Rate	0.70%	'
Contract Maturity	1-Jul-14	'
Freddie Mac | Variable Rate Debt | Mortgages [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Contract Maturity	31-Oct-15	'
Minimum [Member] | $500 million unsecured revolving credit faciltiy [Member] [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.90%	'
Maximum [Member] | $500 million unsecured revolving credit faciltiy [Member] [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.70%	'

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi3

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Credit Risk Related Contingent Features, Existence and Nature	'Certain of our derivative contracts contain a provision where if we default on any of our indebtedness, includingB default where repaymentB of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender,B then we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations. As of September 30, 2013, we had not breached the provisions of these agreements.B B If we had breached these provisions, we could have been required to settle our obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $6.7 million.	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$2,691,000	($21,869,000)	$108,000	($26,054,000)
Unrealized losses from the effective portion of derivative instruments	997,000	179,000	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	3,725,000	4,545,000	'	'
Derivative contracts, collateral	'Certain of our derivative contracts are credit enhanced by either FNMA or Freddie Mac.B B These derivative contracts require that our credit enhancing party maintain credit ratings above a certain level.B B If our credit support providers were downgraded below Baa1 by Moodybs or BBB+ by Standard & Poorbs, or S&P, we may be required to either post 100 percent collateral or settle the obligations at their termination value of $9.7 million as of September 30, 2013.B B Both FNMA and Freddie Mac are currently rated Aaa by Moodybs and AA+ by S&P, and therefore, the provisions of this agreement have not been breached and no collateral has been posted related to these agreements as of September 30, 2013.	'	'	'
Credit Risk Related Contingent Features Termination Value	4,700,000	'	'	'
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income for the effective portion of derivative instruments	3,725,000	4,545,000	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-145,000	-181,000	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	2,583,000	4,185,000	'	'
Credit Default Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit Risk Related Contingent Features Termination Value	14,900,000	'	'	'
Other Credit Enhancements	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit Risk Related Contingent Features Termination Value	3,400,000	'	'	'
Termination	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value of Credit Risk Derivatives	17,900,000	'	'	'
Interest Expense	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives, Ineffective portion	-4,000	4,000	'	'
Interest Expense | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Caps	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Change in fair value of interest rate derivatives included in AOCI and expected to be reclassified in the next 12 months	9,700,000	'	'	'
Interest Expense | Interest rate contracts	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income for the effective portion of derivative instruments	3,725,000	4,545,000	'	'
net liability position [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit Risk Related Contingent Features Termination Value	19,600,000	'	'	'
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Caps	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	7	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	180,000,000	'	'	'
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	14	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	717,000,000	'	'	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	-69,000	-13,000	'	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Caps	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	15	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	134,326,000	'	'	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Expense	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	-69,000	-13,000	'	'
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,691,000	'	108,000	'
Unrealized losses from the effective portion of derivative instruments	997,000	179,000	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	$3,725,000	$4,545,000	'	'

Outstanding_Interest_Rate_Deri

Outstanding Interest Rate Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk (Detail) (Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
	Contract
Interest Rate Caps	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	7
Derivative, Notional Amount	$180,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	14
Derivative, Notional Amount	717,000,000
Interest Rate Forward Swap [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	4
Derivative, Notional Amount	$200,000,000

Fair_Values_of_Derivative_Inst

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	$441	$396
Derivative financial instruments, Liability	17,937	20,015
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset at Fair Value	83	49
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability at Fair Value	0	0
Other assets	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	441	396
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset at Fair Value	83	49
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative financial instruments, Liability	17,937	20,015
Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Liability at Fair Value	$0	$0

Effect_of_Derivative_Instrumen

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	($997,000)	($179,000)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	3,725,000	4,545,000
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	-4,000	4,000
Interest rate contracts | Interest Expense	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	3,725,000	4,545,000
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	-4,000	4,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	-69,000	-13,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	-69,000	-13,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Expense	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	($69,000)	($13,000)

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi4

Derivatives and Hedging Activities Gross Presentation, Effects of Offsetting, and Net Presentation of Derivatives (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	$524	$444
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	0	0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Net	524	444
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	-97	0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	17,937	20,015
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Net	17,937	20,015
Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	427	444
Liability [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	$17,840	$20,015

Fair_Value_Disclosure_of_Finan2

Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Fixed Rate Debt	Fixed Rate Debt	Variable Rate Debt	Variable Rate Debt	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
					Secured Debt [Member]	Secured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable, fair value	$2.33	$2.30	$1.07	$1.12	'	'
Notes Payable Excluding Interest Rate Swaps and Cap Agreements	$2.30	$2.29	$1.16	$1.18	'	'
Debt Renewal Period	'	'	'	'	'30 days	'90 days

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	$524	$444
Derivative financial instruments, Liability	17,937	20,015
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	0	0
Derivative financial instruments, Liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	524	444
Derivative financial instruments, Liability	17,937	20,015
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	0	0
Derivative financial instruments, Liability	$0	$0

Shareholders_Equity_of_MAA_Add

Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Aug. 26, 2010
				At Market A T M Programs [Member]	At Market A T M Programs [Member]	At The Market ATM Programs [Member]	At The Market ATM Programs [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Maximum [Member]
Statement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	4,208,526	1,707,660	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	75,009,303	42,683,322	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,208,526	1,707,660	'
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding	79,217,829	44,390,982	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock shares, outstanding option	296,583	'	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	31,916,765	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,574,631	'	'
Agreement to sell common stock with financial service companies, shares	'	4,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,000,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	'	'	'	0	325,166	4,134,989	'	'	'	'
proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of applicable fees	'	'	'	'	'	'	$22,000,000	'	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of common stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,300,000	'	'	'
Common stock issued, Dividend and Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Program	340	141	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of common stock, Dividend and Distribution Reinvestment and Share Purchase Program	$23,000	$10,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	6,554	4,582	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Partners_Capital_of_MidAmerica1

Partners' Capital of Mid-America Apartments, L.P. (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule of Capital Structure [Line Items]	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account	$287,316,070	$117,931,000
Redeemable Capital Shares Par Or Stated Value Per Share	'	$69.06
Operating partnership units outstanding	79,217,829	44,390,982
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	75,009,303	42,683,322
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest	94.70%	96.20%
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	4,208,526	1,707,660
Units Issued During Period, Acquisitions	34,491,396	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Capital Structure [Line Items]	'	'
Redeemable Capital Shares Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$68.27	'
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,208,526	1,707,660

Legal_Proceedings_Details

Legal Proceedings (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Plantation Point Litigation Member [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
For-Sale Residential Unit Dispositions	414
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$24.70
Regatta at James Island Litigation [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
For-Sale Residential Unit Dispositions	212

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	Communities		Communities
	Property
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Properties Sold	1	'	8
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$314	$65	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$534	$760	'
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	271	'	'
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	82,730	'	'
Held For Sale [Member]	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	1	'	'
Willow Creek [Member]	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	285	'	'
Colonial Promenade Nord du Lac [Member]	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Square Footage of Real Estate Property	195,536	'	'

Summary_of_Discontinued_Operat

Summary of Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'		'
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate	$3,100,000		'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	9,285,000		19,463,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	534,000		760,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	9,819,000		20,223,000
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	5,581,000		1,717,000
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	314,000		65,000
Income from discontinued operations	5,895,000		1,782,000
Total operating revenues	243,487,000		127,920,000
Parent Company [Member]	'		'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'		'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-534,000	[1]	-760,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	6,698,000		20,223,000
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-314,000	[1]	-65,000
Income from discontinued operations	5,895,000		1,782,000
Rental revenues	220,988,000		117,705,000
Other Real Estate Revenue	22,402,000		10,038,000
Total operating revenues	243,487,000		127,920,000
Operating Costs and Expenses	187,376,000		82,716,000
Interest expense	30,676,000		15,545,000
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	416,000		1,782,000
Net loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations	-2,000		0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	5,481,000		0
Limited Partner [Member]	'		'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'		'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	6,698,000		20,223,000
Income from discontinued operations	5,895,000		1,570,000
Rental revenues	220,988,000		117,705,000
Other Real Estate Revenue	22,402,000		10,038,000
Total operating revenues	243,487,000		127,920,000
Operating Costs and Expenses	187,376,000		82,716,000
Interest expense	30,676,000		15,545,000
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	416,000		1,570,000
Net loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations	-2,000		0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	5,481,000		0
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name [Member] | Parent Company [Member]	'		'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'		'
Income from discontinued operations	5,895,000		1,782,000
Rental revenues	832,000		5,007,000
Other Real Estate Revenue	-5,000		439,000
Total operating revenues	827,000		5,446,000
Operating Costs and Expenses	314,000		2,256,000
Depreciation	42,000		1,237,000
Interest expense	55,000		171,000
Total expense	411,000		3,664,000
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	416,000		1,782,000
Net loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations	-2,000		0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	5,481,000		0
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]	'		'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'		'
Income from discontinued operations	5,895,000		1,570,000
Rental revenues	832,000		4,434,000
Other Real Estate Revenue	-5,000		391,000
Total operating revenues	827,000		4,825,000
Operating Costs and Expenses	314,000		1,988,000
Depreciation	42,000		1,096,000
Interest expense	55,000		171,000
Total expense	411,000		3,255,000
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before gain on sale	416,000		1,570,000
Net loss on insurance and other settlement proceeds on discontinued operations	-2,000		0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	$5,481,000		$0
[1]	(1) Operating partnership units, other dilutive securities, and the related income with each are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as they were not dilutive.

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	individual
	Property
	States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of owned or owned interests of apartment communities	271
Number of states in which apartment units are located	14
Apartment Community Population	1,000,000
Percentage of Total Public Multifamily REIT Units	1.00%
Period properties owned and stabilized	'12 months
Occupancy Level for Stabilized Communities	90.00%
Period Properties Stabilized	'90 days
Large Market Same Store [Member]	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Apartment communities in reportable operating segments	'communities in markets with a population of at least one million and at least 1% of the total public multifamily REIT units; and that we have owned and have been stabilized for at least a full 12 months and have not been classified as held for sale.
Secondary Market Same Store [Member]	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Apartment communities in reportable operating segments	'communities in markets with populations of more than one million but less than one percent of the total public multifamily REIT units or in markets with a population of less than one million; and that we have owned and have been stabilized for at least a full 12 months and have not been classified as held for sale.
Non Same Store And Other [Member]	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Apartment communities in reportable operating segments	'Non same store communities and other includes recent acquisitions, communities in development or lease-up and communities that have been identified for disposition. Also included in non same store communities are non multifamily activities, which represent less than 1% of our portfolio.

Revenues_and_NOI_for_Reportabl

Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues	'	'
Total property revenues	$243,390	$127,743
Total operating revenues	243,487	127,920
Net Operating Income	147,626	80,413
Discontinued operations NOI included above	-1,599	-3,191
Depreciation and amortization	-90,013	-32,195
Acquisition credit (expense)	-11	-10
Property management expense	-7,011	-5,108
General and administrative expense	-4,342	-3,239
Discontinued operations	-5,895	-1,782
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-848	-825
Net income attributable to MAA	14,866	21,180
Large Market Same Store	'	'
Revenues	'	'
Total property revenues	60,453	58,125
Net Operating Income	35,789	34,749
Secondary Market Same Store	'	'
Revenues	'	'
Total property revenues	61,531	60,399
Net Operating Income	37,577	37,074
Non-Same Store and Other	'	'
Revenues	'	'
Total property revenues	121,406	9,219
Net Operating Income	74,260	8,590
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Revenues	'	'
Total property revenues	243,390	127,743
Management fee income	97	177
Total operating revenues	243,487	127,920
Depreciation and amortization	-90,013	-32,195
Acquisition credit (expense)	-11	-10
Property management expense	-7,011	-5,108
General and administrative expense	-4,342	-3,239
Merger Related Expenses	-2,076	0
Business Combination, Integration Related Costs	-3,842	0
Interest and other non-property income	160	47
Interest expense	-30,676	-15,545
Gain (loss) on debt extinguishment	0	-169
Amortization of deferred financing costs	-1,311	-804
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment	2,564	0
Net casualty loss and other settlement proceeds	-10	16
Income Tax Expense	-270	-223
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	557	0
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	-24	54
Discontinued operations	-5,895	-1,782
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	($848)	($825)

Assets_for_Reportable_Segment_

Assets for Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$6,785,663	$6,841,925
Large Market Same Store	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	1,239,787	1,252,575
Secondary Market Same Store	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	786,393	796,697
Non-Same Store and Other	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	4,564,689	4,638,892
Corporate assets	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$194,794	$153,761

Real_Estate_Acquisitions_Addit

Real Estate Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Communities	Communities
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	82,730	'
Number Of Properties Sold	1	8
Grand Cypress [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	312	'
Venue at Stonebridge Ranch [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	250	'
Colonial Brookwood [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Properties Sold	2	'
Birmingham, Alabama [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Properties Sold	2	'
Orlando, Florida [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Properties Sold	2	'
Covington, Louisiana [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Number Of Properties Sold	1	'

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (Parent Company [Member], USD $)	Apr. 10, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Parent Company [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Notional Value of Interest Rate Swap Derivatives Maturing	$50
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	2.80%