Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, have been condensed or omitted in accordance with such rules and regulations, although management believes the disclosures are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. The balance sheets of Aimco and the Aimco Operating Partnership at December 31, 2014, have been derived from their respective audited financial statements at that date, but do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the financial statements and notes thereto included in Aimco’s and the Aimco Operating Partnership’s combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Except where indicated, the footnotes refer to both Aimco and the Aimco Operating Partnership.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation Aimco’s accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aimco, the Aimco Operating Partnership, and their consolidated subsidiaries. The Aimco Operating Partnership’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Aimco Operating Partnership and its consolidated entities. We consolidate all variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary. Generally, a variable interest entity, or VIE, is a legal entity in which the equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or the equity investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consider qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party controls such activities; the amount and characteristics of our investment; the obligation or likelihood for us or other investors to provide financial support; and the similarity with and significance to our business activities and the business activities of the other investors. Significant judgments related to these determinations include estimates about the current and future fair values and performance of real estate held by these VIEs and general market conditions. As of March 31, 2015, we were the primary beneficiary of, and therefore consolidated, 62 VIEs, which owned 48 apartment communities with 7,543 apartment homes. Substantially all these VIEs are partnerships that are involved in the ownership or operation of qualifying affordable housing apartment communities and which are structured to provide for the pass-through of low-income housing tax credits and deductions to their partners. Real estate with a carrying value of $354.6 million collateralized $335.1 million of debt of those VIEs. Any significant amounts of assets and liabilities related to our consolidated VIEs are identified parenthetically on our accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to our general credit. In addition to the consolidated VIEs discussed above, at March 31, 2015, our consolidated financial statements included certain consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs that are part of the legacy asset management business we sold during 2012, which is discussed in Note 4. The assets and liabilities related to these consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs are each condensed into single line items within other assets and accrued liabilities and other, respectively, in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Generally, we consolidate real estate partnerships and other entities that are not variable interest entities when we own, directly or indirectly, a majority voting interest in the entity or are otherwise able to control the entity. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership that are held by limited partners other than Aimco are reflected in Aimco’s accompanying balance sheets as noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership. Interests in partnerships consolidated into the Aimco Operating Partnership that are held by third parties are reflected in our accompanying balance sheets as noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships. The assets of consolidated real estate partnerships owned or controlled by the Aimco Operating Partnership generally are not available to pay creditors of Aimco or the Aimco Operating Partnership.
Temporary Equity and Partners' Capital	These amounts are presented within temporary equity in Aimco’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as preferred noncontrolling interests in the Aimco Operating Partnership, and within temporary capital in the Aimco Operating Partnership’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as redeemable preferred units.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts included in the financial statements and accompanying notes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, which significantly changes the consolidation analysis required under GAAP for VIEs. Under this revised guidance, it is less likely that certain fees, such as asset management fees, would be considered variable interests and therefore fewer entities may be considered VIEs. Additionally, limited partnerships may no longer be viewed as VIEs if the limited partners hold certain rights over the general partner. For public companies, the guidance in ASU 2015-02 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We have not yet determined the effect ASU 2015-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 to revise the presentation of debt issuance costs. Under ASU 2015-03, entities will present debt issuance costs in their balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the deferred costs will continue to be included in interest expense. For public companies, the guidance in the ASU, which is to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods, is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. We do not expect ASU 2015-03 to have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Disclosure of accounting policy for consolidation to describe the significant judgments and assumptions made in determining whether a variable interest held by the entity requires the variable interest entity to be consolidated and (or) disclose information about its involvement with the variable interest entity; the methodology used by the entity for determining whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity; and the significant factors considered and judgments made in determining that the power to direct the activities that significantly impact the economic performance of the variable interest entity are shared (as defined).

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