Name:	aiv_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTextualAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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The period of time over which the reporting entity must remain in compliance to preserve tax benefits from low-income housing tax credits.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aiv_CompliancePeriodForLowIncomeHousingTaxCreditSyndicationAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	aiv_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Portion of long term construction loans that has yet to be borrowed

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aiv_Undrawnportionoflongtermconstructionloans
Namespace Prefix:	aiv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of rent expense incurred for leased assets, including but not limited to, furniture and equipment, that is not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the current and noncurrent portions of a long-term real estate loan with an initial maturity beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, to finance building costs. The funds are disbursed as needed or in accordance with a prearranged plan; generally, a portion of the funds is disbursed at inception and the remainder as construction progresses. The money is repaid on completion of the project (generally one to seven years), usually from the proceeds of a mortgage loan. The rate is normally higher than the prime rate, and there is usually an origination fee. The effective yield on these loans tends to be high, and the lender has a security interest in the real property.

+ 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 SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5

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 FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

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

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20,22)

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

+ Details

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

- Definition

The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the long-term purchase commitment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Period covered by the long-term purchase commitment, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aiv_FixedRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis=aiv_CommitmentsrelatedtodevelopmentredevelopmentandcapitalimprovementactivitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
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Commitments and Contingencies - (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies - (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Undrawn portion of long term construction loans	$ 101,900,000
Rent expense	3,300,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense	4,200,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense	4,600,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Commitments related to development, redevelopment and capital improvement activities [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments related to capital spending activities	223,100,000
Fixed Rate
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Long-term Construction Loans to Committed Projects	$ 304,100,000
Minimum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Compliance Period For Low Income Housing Tax Credit Syndication Agreements	1 year
Minimum [Member] \| Commitments related to development, redevelopment and capital improvement activities [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Purchase Commitment, Period	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Compliance Period For Low Income Housing Tax Credit Syndication Agreements	11 years
Maximum [Member] \| Commitments related to operations [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Purchase Commitment, Period	1 year