Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 172,838	$ 166,137
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	149,582	141,706
Gain on dispositions of real estate, net of tax	(130,474)	(136,154)
Other adjustments	(11,252)	1,549
Net changes in operating assets and operating liabilities	(23,390)	(28,959)
Net cash provided by operating activities	157,304	144,279
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of real estate	(141,264)	(13,981)
Capital expenditures	(173,075)	(182,424)
Proceeds from dispositions of real estate	227,911	238,855
Purchases of corporate assets	(3,352)	(4,130)
Change in restricted cash	2,692	(96,186)
Other investing activities	3,240	(3,447)
Net cash used in investing activities	(83,848)	(61,313)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from non-recourse property debt	197,646	62,974
Principal repayments on non-recourse property debt	(390,234)	(178,739)
Net (repayments) borrowings on revolving credit facility	(64,810)	3,000
Proceeds from issuance of preferred securities	0	123,658
Proceeds from issuance of common securities	366,580	0
Redemption and repurchase of preferred securities	(27,000)	(9,500)
Payment of dividends to holders of preferred securities	(5,585)	(1,355)
Payment of dividends to holders of Common Stock	(90,473)	(76,004)
Payment of distributions to noncontrolling interests	(39,286)	(32,107)
Other financing activities	(2,430)	3,182
Net cash used in financing activities	(55,592)	(104,891)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	17,864	(21,925)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	28,971	55,751
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	46,835	33,826
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	172,838	166,137
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	149,582	141,706
Gain on dispositions of real estate, net of tax	(130,474)	(136,154)
Other adjustments	(11,252)	1,549
Net changes in operating assets and operating liabilities	(23,390)	(28,959)
Net cash provided by operating activities	157,304	144,279
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of real estate	(141,264)	(13,981)
Capital expenditures	(173,075)	(182,424)
Proceeds from dispositions of real estate	227,911	238,855
Purchases of corporate assets	(3,352)	(4,130)
Change in restricted cash	2,692	(96,186)
Other investing activities	3,240	(3,447)
Net cash used in investing activities	(83,848)	(61,313)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from non-recourse property debt	197,646	62,974
Principal repayments on non-recourse property debt	(390,234)	(178,739)
Net (repayments) borrowings on revolving credit facility	(64,810)	3,000
Proceeds from issuance of preferred securities	0	123,658
Proceeds from issuance of common securities	366,580	0
Redemption and repurchase of preferred securities	(27,000)	(9,500)
Payment of dividends to holders of preferred securities	(9,057)	(4,562)
Payment of distributions to General Partner and Special Limited Partner	(90,473)	(76,004)
Payment of distributions to Limited Partners	(4,425)	(4,026)
Payment of distributions to noncontrolling interests	(31,389)	(24,874)
Other financing activities	(2,430)	3,182
Net cash used in financing activities	(55,592)	(104,891)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	17,864	(21,925)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	28,971	55,751
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$ 46,835	$ 33,826