Number of condominium homes sold during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	pps_CondominiumHomesSold
Namespace Prefix:	pps_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the amount of gain (loss) on sale of properties during the reporting period net of the applicable income taxes realized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 15

-Paragraph a

-Subparagraph 1(ii)

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 974

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-15.(a)(1)(ii))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6875705&loc=d3e641549-123027

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertiesNetOfApplicableIncomeTaxes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from the sale of formerly productive land held for sale, anything permanently fixed to it, including buildings, structures on it, and so forth.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyHeldForSale
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of investments in land and buildings held for sale, excluding real estate considered to be inventory of the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(f))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Real Estate Activity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended						0 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014 Property Apartment	Jun. 30, 2014 Home Property Apartment	Jun. 30, 2013 Home	Mar. 31, 2014 For-Sale Condominium Homes [Member] Property	Jun. 30, 2013 Discontinued Operations [Member] Apartment	Mar. 31, 2014 Austin Condominium Project [Member] For-Sale Condominium Homes [Member] Property	Mar. 31, 2014 Atlanta Condominium Project [Member] For-Sale Condominium Homes [Member] Property	May 31, 2014 Apartment Communities Sold [Member] Houston, Texas [Member]	May 31, 2014 Apartment Communities Sold [Member] Houston, Texas [Member] Apartment Community	Jun. 30, 2014 Assets Held-for-sale [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Assets Held-for-sale [Member] Apartment	Jun. 30, 2014 Assets Held-for-sale [Member] New York [Member] Apartment
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	60	60		2	1	1	1		1		3	2
Number of units in real estate property	22,596	22,596			342				308		645	337
Assets held for sale, net of accumulated depreciation	$ 107,229	$ 107,229								$ 107,229
Apartment community sold approximately for gross proceeds								71,750
Net gain on sale of apartment community	$ 36,092	$ 36,092						$ 36,092
Condominium homes sold		1	50