Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations - (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Components of income from discontinued operations including portions attributable to Aimco and noncontrolling interests
Rental and other property revenues										$ 62,152	$ 140,634
Property operating expenses										(30,695)	(62,781)
Depreciation and amortization										(16,372)	(41,577)
Recovery of (provision for) real estate impairment losses										16	(17,452)
Operating income										15,101	18,824
Interest income										343	568
Interest expense										(13,346)	(29,972)
Income (loss) before gain on dispositions of real estate and income tax										2,098	(10,580)
Gain on dispositions of real estate									0	212,459	234,530
Income tax expense									0	(11,328)	(9,833)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	121,799	[1]	72,433	[1]	4,502	[1]	4,495	[1]	0	203,229	214,117
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships										(31,842)	(41,633)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to the Aimco Operating Partnership										171,387	172,484
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership										(9,248)	(10,238)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Aimco									$ 0	$ 162,139	$ 162,246

[1] Certain reclassifications have been made to quarterly amounts to conform to the full year presentation.