Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Current Leases (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Imputed interest on capital leases future minimum payments due, total	$ 35,930

Total Imputed Interest on Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due

No definition available.

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