Estimated number of apartment homes in communities awaiting development.

No definition available.

Name:	avb_EstimatedNumberOfApartmentHomesInCommunitiesExpectedToBeDeveloped
Namespace Prefix:	avb_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Loss Contingency, Insurance, Percentage Of Policy Amount Company Is Obligated To Fund

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avb_LossContingencyInsurancePercentageOfPolicyAmountCompanyIsObligatedToFund
Namespace Prefix:	avb_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Loss Contingency, Insurance, Policy Amount For Calculating Self-Insurance Liability

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avb_LossContingencyInsurancePolicyAmountForCalculatingSelfInsuranceLiability
Namespace Prefix:	avb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Loss Contingency New Class Action Claims Filed Number

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avb_LossContingencyNewClassActionClaimsFiledNumber
Namespace Prefix:	avb_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of apartment homes sold during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avb_NumberOfApartmentHomesSold
Namespace Prefix:	avb_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of boat slips in marina communities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avb_NumberOfBoatSlipsInMarinaCommunities
Namespace Prefix:	avb_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number Of Development Rights

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avb_NumberOfDevelopmentRights
Namespace Prefix:	avb_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number Of Real Estate Properties, Uninhabitable

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avb_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesUninhabitable
Namespace Prefix:	avb_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number Of Units In Real Estate Property, Uninhabitable

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avb_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstatePropertyUninhabitable
Namespace Prefix:	avb_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Real Estate Investment Property, Projected Capital Cost To Develop Real Estate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	avb_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyProjectedCapitalCostToDevelopRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	avb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt before deduction of unamortized discount or premium. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, with initial maturities beyond one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- 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 net cash inflow or outflow from other real estate partnerships not otherwise defined in the taxonomy (buyouts, other agreements).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow from the acquisition of real estate intended to generate income for the owner; excludes land acquired for use by the owner.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Cash received for the sale of real estate that is not part of an investing activity during the current period.

+ 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_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=avb_FixedRateSecuredMortgageNote5.95InterestRateDueInMay2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=avb_MVPILLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014 home community	Dec. 31, 2013 home	Dec. 31, 2012 home	Jan. 31, 2015
Subsequent events
Number of apartment homes sold	1,337avb_NumberOfApartmentHomesSold	3,299avb_NumberOfApartmentHomesSold	1,578avb_NumberOfApartmentHomesSold
Proceeds from sale of real estate	$ 281,125,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate	$ 919,442,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate	$ 274,018,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate
Estimated number of apartment homes in communities to be developed	10,384
Number of residential buildings	251us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Number of apartment homes included in operating apartment communities owned	73,963
MVPI LLC
Subsequent events
Combined general partner and limited partner equity interest (as a percent)	25.00%
Subsequent event \| MVPI LLC
Subsequent events
Receipts from a joint venture partner for modification of agreement				20,700,000
Subsequent event \| Avalon on Stamford Harbor
Subsequent events
Number of apartment homes sold				323
Number of boat slips				74
Proceeds from sale of real estate				115,500,000
Subsequent event \| Development Rights In New York, NY And Bellevue, WA
Subsequent events
Payments to acquire land				325,000,000
Number of Development Rights				3
Estimated number of apartment homes in communities to be developed				910
Projected capital cost to develop apartment homes				509,717,000
Subsequent event \| Avalon at Edgewater
Subsequent events
Number of residential buildings				2
Number of uninhabitable residential buildings due to fire damage				1
Number of uninhabitable homes				240
Number of apartment homes included in operating apartment communities owned				168
Loss Contingency New Class Action Claims Filed Number				3
Percentage of the first $50,000,000 of losses for which the Company is liable				12.00%
Amount of losses for determination of Company's self-insurance liability				50,000,000
Fixed Rate Secured Mortgage Note 5.95% Interest Rate Due In May 2019 \| Secured notes \| Avalon at Edgewater
Subsequent events
Effective interest rate (as a percent)	5.95%
Debt outstanding	$ 75,012,000