Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net real estate related to VIEs	$ 5,484,023	$ 5,472,779
Cash and cash equivalents	164,490	28,971
Restricted cash related to VIEs	95,428	91,445
Other assets	465,332	476,727
Non-recourse property debt related to VIEs	3,888,284	4,022,809
Accrued liabilities and other	270,204	279,077
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	500,787,260	500,787,260
Common Stock, shares issued (in shares)	156,278,378	146,403,274
Common Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	156,278,378	146,403,274
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P [Member]
Net real estate related to VIEs	5,484,023	5,472,779
Cash and cash equivalents	164,490	28,971
Restricted cash related to VIEs	95,428	91,445
Other assets	465,332	476,727
Non-recourse property debt related to VIEs	3,888,284	4,022,809
Accrued liabilities and other	270,204	279,077
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Net real estate related to VIEs	354,609	360,160
Cash and cash equivalents	18,112	17,108
Restricted cash related to VIEs	34,867	36,196
Other assets	182,156	182,108
Non-recourse property debt related to VIEs	335,109	336,471
Accrued liabilities and other	141,762	135,644
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P [Member]
Net real estate related to VIEs	354,609	360,160
Cash and cash equivalents	18,112	17,108
Restricted cash related to VIEs	34,867	36,196
Other assets	182,156	182,108
Non-recourse property debt related to VIEs	335,109	336,471
Accrued liabilities and other	$ 141,762	$ 135,644