Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Equity [Line Items]
Issuance of Preferred Units to Aimco			$ 123,620
Repurchase of Preferred Units from Aimco			(9,516)
Distributions to preferred units held by Aimco			(5,314)
Redemption of common OP Units			(7,581)
Amortization of Aimco stock-based compensation cost			4,824
Stock option exercises			587
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities			(63)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(206)	(1,147)	(841)	(1,759)
Other			165
Net income			305,844
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P
Schedule of Equity [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2013			939,736
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(206)	(1,147)	(841)	(1,759)
Balance, September 30, 2014	1,209,479		1,209,479
Partners Capital [Member] | AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P
Schedule of Equity [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2013			939,736
Issuance of Preferred Units to Aimco			123,620
Repurchase of Preferred Units from Aimco			(9,516)
Distributions to preferred units held by Aimco			(5,314)
Distributions to common units held by Aimco			(113,988)
Distributions to common units held by Limited Partners			(6,020)
Redemption of common OP Units			(7,581)
Amortization of Aimco stock-based compensation cost			4,824
Stock option exercises			587
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities			13
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss			(962)
Other			188
Net income			283,892
Balance, September 30, 2014	$ 1,209,479		$ 1,209,479