Partners Capital (Details) (AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P, USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units issued	2,926,477	2,930,077
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units outstanding	2,930,077	2,930,077
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units, Redemption Value	$ 79,141	$ 79,231
Class One [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Per Annum Distribution Rate	8.75%
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Paid, Per Unit	$ 8.00
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units issued	90,000	90,000
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units outstanding	90,000	90,000
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units, Redemption Value	8,229	8,229
Class Two [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Per Annum Distribution Rate	1.84%
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Paid, Per Unit	$ 0.46
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units issued	18,589	18,589
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units outstanding	18,589	18,589
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units, Redemption Value	465	465
Class Three [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Per Annum Distribution Rate	7.88%
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Paid, Per Unit	$ 1.97
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units issued	1,354,091	1,357,691
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units outstanding	1,354,091	1,357,691
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units, Redemption Value	33,852	33,942
Class Four [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Per Annum Distribution Rate	8.00%
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Paid, Per Unit	$ 2.00
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units issued	644,954	644,954
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units outstanding	644,954	644,954
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units, Redemption Value	16,124	16,124
Class Six [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Per Annum Distribution Rate	8.50%
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Paid, Per Unit	$ 2.13
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units issued	790,883	790,883
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units outstanding	790,883	790,883
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units, Redemption Value	19,772	19,772
Class Seven [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Per Annum Distribution Rate	7.87%
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Paid, Per Unit	$ 1.97
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units issued	27,960	27,960
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units outstanding	27,960	27,960
Perpetual Partnership Preferred Units, Redemption Value	$ 699	$ 699