Earnings per Share/Unit (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Dilutive potential common shares/units (in shares)	0.2	0.5	0.2	0.5
Antidilutive securities excluded from the denominator for calculating dilutive earnings per share and per unit (in shares)	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2
Participating securities outstanding (in shares)	0.3	0.2	0.3	0.2
Preferred noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership	$ 101,320		$ 101,320		$ 101,537
Number of shares potentially redeemable for (in shares)	2.3		2.3
AIMCO Properties, LP [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Dilutive potential common shares/units (in shares)	0.2	0.5	0.2	0.5
Antidilutive securities excluded from the denominator for calculating dilutive earnings per share and per unit (in shares)	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2
Preferred noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership	$ 101,320		$ 101,320		$ 101,537