Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	$ 225,228	$ 222,573
Tax credit and transaction revenues	2,691	4,758
Total revenues	246,481	246,239
Property operating expenses	79,626	79,431
Investment management expenses	784	975
Depreciation and amortization	87,168	79,828
General and administrative expenses	10,682	11,935
Other expenses, net	1,738	1,570
Total operating expenses	188,692	182,705
Net operating income (loss)	57,789	63,534
Other Items included in income before gain on dispositions (4)	(40,240)	(39,836)
Income before gain on dispositions	17,549	23,698
Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	225,228	222,573
Property operating expenses	79,626	79,431
Operating Segments [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	216,975	202,064
Total revenues	216,975	202,064
Property operating expenses	69,463	65,247
Total operating expenses	69,463	65,247
Net operating income (loss)	147,512	136,817
Income before gain on dispositions	147,512	136,817
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	7,296	7,593
Total revenues	7,296	7,593
Property operating expenses	2,303	1,945
Total operating expenses	2,303	1,945
Net operating income (loss)	4,993	5,648
Income before gain on dispositions	4,993	5,648
Corporate Non-Segment [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	957	12,916
Tax credit and transaction revenues	2,691	4,758
Total revenues	22,210	36,582
Property operating expenses	7,860	12,239
Investment management expenses	784	975
Depreciation and amortization	87,168	79,828
General and administrative expenses	10,682	11,935
Other expenses, net	1,738	1,570
Total operating expenses	116,926	115,513
Net operating income (loss)	(94,716)	(78,931)
Other Items included in income before gain on dispositions (4)	(40,240)	(39,836)
Income before gain on dispositions	(134,956)	(118,767)
Asset Management [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	18,562	18,908
Property operating expenses	8,694	8,966
Asset Management [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	0	0
Property operating expenses	0	0
Asset Management [Member] | Corporate Non-Segment [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	18,562	18,908
Property operating expenses	$ 8,694	$ 8,966