Partners Capital - 2 (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Dividends declared per common share/unit (dollars per share)	$ 1.32	$ 1.18	$ 1.04
Common partnership units and equivalents outstanding	156,888,381
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Redeemable Partnership Preferred Units redeemed for cash during period	69,000	700	12,600
Dividends declared per common share/unit (dollars per share)	$ 1.32	$ 1.18	$ 1.04
Common OP Units redeemed in exchange for cash during period	248,000	112,000	268,000
Common partnership units and equivalents outstanding	164,493,293
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P. | High Performance Units [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common partnership units and equivalents outstanding	2,339,950	2,339,950