Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Redemption of common OP Units	$ (9,457)
Amortization of Aimco 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
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2015	1,612,540
Balance, September 30, 2016	1,677,521
Partners Capital [Member] | AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2015	1,612,540
Repurchase of preferred units from Aimco	(34,791)
Distributions to preferred units held by Aimco	(7,866)
Distributions to common units held by Aimco	(155,124)
Distributions to common units held by Limited Partners	(7,693)
Redemption of common OP Units	(9,457)
Amortization of Aimco 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	5,886
Other	1,881
Net income	278,502
Balance, September 30, 2016	$ 1,677,521