Other Significant Transactions (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Income Related to Legally Sold Portfolio [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 244,265us-gaap_Revenues	$ 248,924us-gaap_Revenues
Expenses	(183,198)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses	(183,650)us-gaap_OperatingExpenses
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities, gains or losses on dispositions and other, net	2,264us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	(1,977)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
Income tax (expense) benefit associated with legacy asset management business	6,921us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	2,758us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Loss allocated to noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships	(4,756)	(11,389)
Net income (losses) of legacy asset management business attributable to Aimco and the Aimco Operating Partnership	93,260us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	64,927us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Napico Portfolio [Member]
Statement of Income Related to Legally Sold Portfolio [Line Items]
Income tax (expense) benefit associated with legacy asset management business	(1,019)	70
Loss allocated to noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships	406	899
Net income (losses) of legacy asset management business attributable to Aimco and the Aimco Operating Partnership	1,523	(551)
Napico Portfolio [Member] \| Other Nonoperating Income Expense [Member]
Statement of Income Related to Legally Sold Portfolio [Line Items]
Revenues	6,467	5,675
Expenses	(5,410)	(5,201)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities, gains or losses on dispositions and other, net	1,079	(1,994)
Net income (loss) related to legacy asset management business	$ 2,136	$ (1,520)

Net income (loss) related to legally sold portfolio

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Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Amount after tax of income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling partner of a limited partnership.

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Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Includes selling, general and administrative expense.

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The net amount of other income and expense amounts, the components of which are not separately disclosed on the income statement, resulting from ancillary business-related activities (that is, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business) also known as other nonoperating income (expense) recognized for the period. Such amounts may include: (a) dividends, (b) interest on securities, (c) net gains or losses on securities, (d) unusual costs, (e) gains or losses on foreign exchange transactions, and (f) miscellaneous other income and expense items.

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

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