Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2013	$ 1,172,744
Contributions	458
Repurchase of preferred stock	(9,500)
Preferred stock dividends	(696)
Common dividends and distributions	(61,001)
Redemptions of common OP Units	(2,921)
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost	1,753
Stock option exercises	21
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	(44)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	132	(1,112)
Other	578
Net income	79,927
Balance, March 31, 2014	1,181,451
Partners' capital attributable to the Partnership
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	132	(1,112)
Aimco Equity [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2013	967,457
Contributions
Repurchase of preferred stock	(9,500)
Preferred stock dividends	(696)
Common dividends and distributions	(37,970)
Redemptions of common OP Units
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost	1,753
Stock option exercises	21
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	(3,575)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	101
Other	578
Net income	64,927
Balance, March 31, 2014	983,096
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Real Estate Partnerships [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2013	233,008
Contributions	458
Repurchase of preferred stock
Preferred stock dividends
Common dividends and distributions	(20,999)
Redemptions of common OP Units
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost
Stock option exercises
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	(76)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	26
Other
Net income	11,389
Balance, March 31, 2014	223,806
Common Noncontrolling Interests in Aimco Operating Partnership [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2013	(27,721)
Contributions
Repurchase of preferred stock
Preferred stock dividends
Common dividends and distributions	(2,032)
Redemptions of common OP Units	(2,921)
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost
Stock option exercises
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	3,607
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	5
Other
Net income	3,611
Balance, March 31, 2014	$ (25,451)