Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2014	$ 1,442,105
Issuance of Common Stock	366,580
Repurchase of preferred stock	(27,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(5,585)
Common dividends and distributions	(128,109)
Redemptions of common OP Units	(1,444)
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost	4,459
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	(1,433)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(945)
Other	91
Net income	169,366
Balance, June 30, 2015	1,818,085
Aimco Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2014	1,227,735
Issuance of Common Stock	366,580
Repurchase of preferred stock	(27,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(5,585)
Common dividends and distributions	(90,641)
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost	4,459
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	(2,956)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(945)
Other	134
Net income	157,129
Balance, June 30, 2015	1,628,910
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Real Estate Partnerships [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2014	233,296
Issuance of Common Stock	0
Common dividends and distributions	(33,043)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	46
Other	(43)
Net income	4,867
Balance, June 30, 2015	205,123
Common Noncontrolling Interests in Aimco Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2014	(18,926)
Issuance of Common Stock	0
Common dividends and distributions	(4,425)
Redemptions of common OP Units	(1,444)
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	1,523
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(46)
Net income	7,370
Balance, June 30, 2015	$ (15,948)