Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2015	$ 1,763,905
Repurchase of preferred stock	(34,791)
Preferred stock dividends	(7,866)
Common dividends and distributions	(186,381)
Redemptions of common OP Units	(9,457)
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost	6,749
Stock option exercises	767
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (1)	(13,873)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	6,075
Other	1,881
Net income	300,598
Balance, September 30, 2016	1,827,607
Aimco Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2015	1,622,391
Repurchase of preferred stock	(34,791)
Preferred stock dividends	(7,866)
Common dividends and distributions	(155,124)
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost	6,749
Stock option exercises	767
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (1)	(22,814)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	5,605
Other	1,987
Net income	266,003
Balance, September 30, 2016	1,682,907
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Real Estate Partnerships [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2015	151,365
Common dividends and distributions	(23,564)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	189
Net income	22,096
Balance, September 30, 2016	150,086
Common Noncontrolling Interests in Aimco Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2015	(9,851)
Common dividends and distributions	(7,693)
Redemptions of common OP Units	(9,457)
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (1)	8,941
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	281
Other	(106)
Net income	12,499
Balance, September 30, 2016	$ (5,386)