Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	$ 227,703	$ 223,741	$ 452,931	$ 446,332
Tax credit and transaction revenues	2,856	8,347	5,547	13,105
Total revenues	249,092	251,218	495,573	497,457
Property operating expenses	79,014	79,708	158,640	159,180
Depreciation and amortization	89,155	80,680	176,323	160,508
General and administrative expenses	10,108	11,616	21,071	23,914
Other operating expenses not allocated to reportable segment (3)	101,990	97,822	201,859	191,518
Total operating expenses	189,386	186,782	378,078	369,487
Net operating income (loss)	59,706	64,436	117,495	127,970
Other Items included in income before gain on dispositions (4)	(39,623)	(35,024)	(79,863)	(74,860)
Income before gain on dispositions	20,083	29,412	37,632	53,110
Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	227,703	223,741	452,931	446,332
Property operating expenses	79,014	79,708	158,640	159,180
Operating Segments [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	219,137	205,283	436,112	407,347
Total revenues	219,137	205,283	436,112	407,347
Property operating expenses	68,387	66,694	137,851	131,941
Total operating expenses	68,387	66,694	137,851	131,941
Net operating income (loss)	150,750	138,589	298,261	275,406
Income before gain on dispositions	150,750	138,589	298,261	275,406
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	7,199	7,429	14,496	15,022
Total revenues	7,199	7,429	14,496	15,022
Property operating expenses	2,265	2,279	4,568	4,224
Total operating expenses	2,265	2,279	4,568	4,224
Net operating income (loss)	4,934	5,150	9,928	10,798
Income before gain on dispositions	4,934	5,150	9,928	10,798
Corporate Non-Segment [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	1,367	11,029	2,323	23,963
Tax credit and transaction revenues	2,856	8,347	5,547	13,105
Total revenues	22,756	38,506	44,965	75,088
Property operating expenses	8,362	10,735	16,221	23,015
Other operating expenses not allocated to reportable segment (3)	101,990	97,822	201,859	191,518
Total operating expenses	118,734	117,809	235,659	233,322
Net operating income (loss)	(95,978)	(79,303)	(190,694)	(158,234)
Other Items included in income before gain on dispositions (4)	(39,623)	(35,024)	(79,863)	(74,860)
Income before gain on dispositions	(135,601)	(114,327)	(270,557)	(233,094)
Asset Management [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	18,533	19,130	37,095	38,020
Property operating expenses	8,382	9,252	17,579	18,789
Asset Management [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	0	0	0	0
Property operating expenses		0
Asset Management [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Property operating expenses
Asset Management [Member] | Corporate Non-Segment [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	18,533	19,130	37,095	38,020
Property operating expenses	$ 8,382	$ 9,252	$ 17,579	$ 18,789