Aimco Equity - (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Classes of perpetual preferred stock
Perpetual Preferred Stock (Note 6)		$ 125,000	$ 159,126
Class A Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Classes of perpetual preferred stock
Redemption date	[1]	May 17, 2019
Annual per share dividend rate (paid quarterly)		6.88%
Perpetual Preferred Stock (Note 6)		$ 125,000	$ 125,000
Shares of preferred stock authorized (in shares)		5,000,000	5,000,000
Shares of preferred stock issued (in shares)		5,000,000	5,000,000
Shares of preferred stock outstanding (in shares)		5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share (dollars per share)		$ 25.00	$ 25.00
Class Z Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Classes of perpetual preferred stock
Redemption date	[1]	Jul. 29, 2016
Annual per share dividend rate (paid quarterly)			7.00%
Perpetual Preferred Stock (Note 6)		$ 0	$ 34,126
Shares of preferred stock authorized (in shares)		0	4,800,000
Shares of preferred stock issued (in shares)		0	1,391,643
Shares of preferred stock outstanding (in shares)		0	1,391,643
Preferred stock, liquidation preference per share (dollars per share)			$ 25.00

[1] All classes of preferred stock are or were redeemable at our option on and after the dates specified.