Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011
Permanent equity
Permanent Equity, Beginning Balance	$ 1,306,772
Contributions	12,358
Issuance of common stock	72,012
Issuance of preferred stock	19,028
Redemptions and repurchases of preferred stock	(18,567)
Preferred stock dividends	(37,390)
Common dividends and distributions	(79,070)
Repurchases of common units	(4,831)
Amortization of stock based compensation cost	4,725
Stock option exercises	1,806
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (Note 4)	(14,134)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,242)
Other	250
Net loss	(54,603)
Permanent Equity, Ending Balance	1,201,114
Aimco Equity [Member]
Permanent equity
Permanent Equity, Beginning Balance	1,046,042
Contributions	0
Issuance of common stock	72,012
Issuance of preferred stock	19,028
Redemptions and repurchases of preferred stock	(18,567)
Preferred stock dividends	(37,390)
Common dividends and distributions	(43,075)
Repurchases of common units	0
Amortization of stock based compensation cost	4,725
Stock option exercises	1,806
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (Note 4)	(43,085)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,236)
Other	205
Net loss	(44,153)
Permanent Equity, Ending Balance	951,312
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships [Member]
Permanent equity
Permanent Equity, Beginning Balance	291,458
Contributions	12,358
Issuance of common stock	0
Issuance of preferred stock	0
Redemptions and repurchases of preferred stock	0
Preferred stock dividends	0
Common dividends and distributions	(32,974)
Repurchases of common units	0
Amortization of stock based compensation cost	0
Stock option exercises	0
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (Note 4)	14,124
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(402)
Other	45
Net loss	(4,612)
Permanent Equity, Ending Balance	279,997
Common noncontrolling interests in Aimco operating partnership [Member]
Permanent equity
Permanent Equity, Beginning Balance	(30,728)
Contributions	0
Issuance of common stock	0
Issuance of preferred stock	0
Redemptions and repurchases of preferred stock	0
Preferred stock dividends	0
Common dividends and distributions	(3,021)
Repurchases of common units	(4,831)
Amortization of stock based compensation cost	0
Stock option exercises	0
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (Note 4)	14,827
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(604)
Other	0
Net loss	(5,838)
Permanent Equity, Ending Balance	$ (30,195)