Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues
Rental	$ 315,176	$ 286,518	$ 268,090
Other property revenues	18,885	17,880	16,053
Other	850	918	995
Total revenues	334,911	305,316	285,138
Expenses
Property operating and maintenance (exclusive of items shown separately below)	143,678	132,410	131,378
Depreciation	80,145	75,263	74,497
General and administrative	16,342	16,100	16,443
Investment and development	1,317	1,161	2,415
Other investment costs	1,401	1,435	2,417
Impairment charge			35,091
Total expenses	242,883	226,369	262,241
Operating income	92,028	78,947	22,897
Interest income	393	1,021	841
Interest expense	(46,419)	(56,791)	(54,613)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	(2,695)	(2,797)	(2,987)
Net gains on condominium sales activities	36,273	10,514	6,161
Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities, net	7,995	1,001	18,739
Other income (expense), net	1,034	619	(874)
Net gain (loss) on extinguishment of indebtedness	(4,318)	(6,919)	2,845
Net income (loss)	84,291	25,595	(6,991)
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	(135)	(67)	(20)
Noncontrolling interests-Operating Partnership	(217)	(62)	51
Net income (loss) available to the Company	83,939	25,466	(6,960)
Dividends to preferred shareholders	(3,688)	(4,455)	(7,503)
Preferred stock redemption costs		(1,757)	(44)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	80,251	19,254	(14,507)
Per common share data-Basic
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 1.49	$ 0.38	$ (0.30)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	53,821	50,420	48,483
Per common share data-Diluted
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 1.48	$ 0.38	$ (0.30)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted	54,131	50,808	48,483
Post Apartment Homes, L.P. [Member]
Revenues
Rental	315,176	286,518	268,090
Other property revenues	18,885	17,880	16,053
Other	850	918	995
Total revenues	334,911	305,316	285,138
Expenses
Property operating and maintenance (exclusive of items shown separately below)	143,678	132,410	131,378
Depreciation	80,145	75,263	74,497
General and administrative	16,342	16,100	16,443
Investment and development	1,317	1,161	2,415
Other investment costs	1,401	1,435	2,417
Impairment charge			35,091
Total expenses	242,883	226,369	262,241
Operating income	92,028	78,947	22,897
Interest income	393	1,021	841
Interest expense	(46,419)	(56,791)	(54,613)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	(2,695)	(2,797)	(2,987)
Net gains on condominium sales activities	36,273	10,514	6,161
Equity in income of unconsolidated real estate entities, net	7,995	1,001	18,739
Other income (expense), net	1,034	619	(874)
Net gain (loss) on extinguishment of indebtedness	(4,318)	(6,919)	2,845
Net income (loss)	84,291	25,595	(6,991)
Noncontrolling interests - consolidated real estate entities	(135)	(67)	(20)
Net income (loss) available to the Company	84,156	25,528	(7,011)
Dividends to preferred shareholders	(3,688)	(4,455)	(7,503)
Preferred stock redemption costs		(1,757)	(44)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 80,468	$ 19,316	$ (14,558)
Per common share data-Basic
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 1.49	$ 0.38	$ (0.30)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic	53,968	50,584	48,655
Per common share data-Diluted
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 1.48	$ 0.38	$ (0.30)
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted	54,278	50,972	48,655