Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 29,885	$ 104,150
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	79,828	74,432
Gain on dispositions of real estate, net of tax	(6,187)	(85,693)
Other adjustments	(8,749)	(8,495)
Net changes in operating assets and operating liabilities	(20,824)	(19,743)
Net cash provided by operating activities	73,953	64,651
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of real estate	(2,275)	(40,800)
Capital expenditures	(79,576)	(71,742)
Proceeds from dispositions of real estate	9,601	133,305
Purchases of corporate assets	(1,764)	(2,167)
Change in restricted cash	3,234	2,546
Other investing activities	5,209	(699)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(65,571)	20,443
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from non-recourse property debt	7,766	18,473
Principal repayments on non-recourse property debt	(19,179)	(140,858)
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolving credit facility	79,080	(112,330)
Proceeds from issuance of common securities	0	366,585
Redemption and repurchase of preferred securities	0	(27,000)
Payment of dividends to holders of preferred securities	(2,757)	(2,827)
Payment of dividends to holders of Common Stock	(51,523)	(43,758)
Payment of distributions to noncontrolling interests	(6,423)	(6,203)
Other financing activities	(1,681)	(1,657)
Net cash provided by financing activities	5,283	50,425
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	13,665	135,519
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	50,789	28,971
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	64,454	164,490
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	29,885	104,150
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	79,828	74,432
Gain on dispositions of real estate, net of tax	(6,187)	(85,693)
Other adjustments	(8,749)	(8,495)
Net changes in operating assets and operating liabilities	(20,824)	(19,743)
Net cash provided by operating activities	73,953	64,651
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of real estate	(2,275)	(40,800)
Capital expenditures	(79,576)	(71,742)
Proceeds from dispositions of real estate	9,601	133,305
Purchases of corporate assets	(1,764)	(2,167)
Change in restricted cash	3,234	2,546
Other investing activities	5,209	(699)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(65,571)	20,443
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from non-recourse property debt	7,766	18,473
Principal repayments on non-recourse property debt	(19,179)	(140,858)
Net borrowings (repayments) on revolving credit facility	79,080	(112,330)
Proceeds from issuance of common securities	0	366,585
Redemption and repurchase of preferred securities	0	(27,000)
Payment of dividends to holders of preferred securities	(4,483)	(4,563)
Payment of distributions to General Partner and Special Limited Partner	(51,523)	(43,758)
Payment of distributions to Limited Partners	(2,592)	(2,139)
Payment of distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,105)	(2,328)
Other financing activities	(1,681)	(1,657)
Net cash provided by financing activities	5,283	50,425
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	13,665	135,519
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	50,789	28,971
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$ 64,454	$ 164,490