Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2014	$ 1,442,105
Issuance of Common Stock	366,580
Repurchase of preferred stock	(27,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(8,342)
Common dividends and distributions	(217,067)
Redemptions of common OP Units	(2,612)
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost	5,572
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	(1,700)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(308)
Other	137
Net income	191,399
Balance, September 30, 2015	1,748,764
Aimco Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2014	1,227,735
Issuance of Common Stock	366,580
Repurchase of preferred stock	(27,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(8,342)
Common dividends and distributions	(137,493)
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost	5,572
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	(4,328)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(352)
Other	264
Net income	179,054
Balance, September 30, 2015	1,601,690
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Real Estate Partnerships [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2014	233,296
Issuance of Common Stock	0
Common dividends and distributions	(72,873)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	61
Other	(127)
Net income	4,082
Balance, September 30, 2015	164,439
Common Noncontrolling Interests in Aimco Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2014	(18,926)
Issuance of Common Stock	0
Common dividends and distributions	(6,701)
Redemptions of common OP Units	(2,612)
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	2,628
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(17)
Net income	8,263
Balance, September 30, 2015	$ (17,365)