Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Components of income from discontinued operations including portions attributable to Aimco and noncontrolling interests
Rental and other property revenues																	$ 62,152	$ 140,634	$ 226,623
Property operating expenses																	(30,695)	(62,781)	(111,549)
Depreciation and amortization																	(16,372)	(41,577)	(72,099)
Recovery of (provision for) real estate impairment losses																	16	(17,452)	(20,246)
Operating income																	15,101	18,824	22,729
Interest income																	343	568	1,561
Interest expense																	(13,346)	(29,972)	(49,030)
Income (loss) before gain on dispositions of real estate and income tax																	2,098	(10,580)	(24,740)
Gain on dispositions of real estate																	212,459	234,530	108,203
Income tax expense																	(11,328)	(9,833)	(5,390)
Income from discontinued operations, net	121,799	[1]	72,433	[1]	4,502	[1]	4,495	[1]	89,409	[1]	47,966	[1]	39,801	[1]	36,941	[1]	203,229	214,117	78,073
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships																	(31,842)	(41,633)	(32,231)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to the Aimco Operating Partnership																	171,387	172,484	45,842
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership																	(9,248)	(10,238)	(3,147)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Aimco																	$ 162,139	$ 162,246	$ 42,695

[1] Certain reclassifications have been made to 2013 and 2012 quarterly amounts to conform to the full year 2013 presentation, primarily related to treatment of discontinued operations.