Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net real estate related to VIEs	$ 5,224,875	$ 5,391,209
Cash and cash equivalents ($14,611 and $24,094 related to VIEs)	29,186	55,751
Restricted cash related to VIEs	166,024	127,037
Other assets ($212,276 and $211,286 related to VIEs)	470,328	505,416
Non-recourse property debt related to VIEs	3,947,786	4,337,785
Accrued liabilities and other ($129,609 and $140,910 related to VIEs)	288,688	287,595
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized	505,787,260	505,787,260
Common Stock, shares issued	146,205,371	145,917,387
Common Stock, shares outstanding	146,205,371	145,917,387
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P
Net real estate related to VIEs	5,224,875	5,391,209
Cash and cash equivalents ($14,611 and $24,094 related to VIEs)	29,186	55,751
Restricted cash related to VIEs	166,024	127,037
Other assets ($212,276 and $211,286 related to VIEs)	470,328	505,416
Non-recourse property debt related to VIEs	3,947,786	4,337,785
Accrued liabilities and other ($129,609 and $140,910 related to VIEs)	288,688	287,595
Common Stock, shares outstanding	153,862,956
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Net real estate related to VIEs	373,524	392,245
Cash and cash equivalents ($14,611 and $24,094 related to VIEs)	14,611	24,094
Restricted cash related to VIEs	37,832	36,369
Other assets ($212,276 and $211,286 related to VIEs)	212,276	211,286
Non-recourse property debt related to VIEs	350,366	355,372
Accrued liabilities and other ($129,609 and $140,910 related to VIEs)	129,609	140,910
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P
Net real estate related to VIEs	373,524	392,245
Cash and cash equivalents ($14,611 and $24,094 related to VIEs)	14,611	24,094
Restricted cash related to VIEs	37,832	36,369
Other assets ($212,276 and $211,286 related to VIEs)	212,276	211,286
Non-recourse property debt related to VIEs	350,366	355,372
Accrued liabilities and other ($129,609 and $140,910 related to VIEs)	$ 129,609	$ 140,910