Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2017	$ 1,655,753
Contributions	(20)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,148)
Dividends and distributions on Common Stock and common OP Units	(69,840)
Redemptions of common OP Units	(6,963)
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost	2,988
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	(10,907)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(62)
Other	93
Net income	93,753
Balance, March 31, 2018	1,662,647
Aimco Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2017	1,663,144
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,148)
Dividends and distributions on Common Stock and common OP Units	(59,777)
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost	2,631
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	(17,486)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(59)
Other	93
Net income	83,792
Balance, March 31, 2018	1,670,190
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Real Estate Partnerships [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2017	(1,716)
Contributions	(20)
Dividends and distributions on Common Stock and common OP Units	(7,225)
Net income	6,206
Balance, March 31, 2018	(2,755)
Common Noncontrolling Interests in Aimco Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2017	(5,675)
Dividends and distributions on Common Stock and common OP Units	(2,838)
Redemptions of common OP Units	(6,963)
Amortization of stock-based compensation cost	357
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities	6,579
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3)
Net income	3,755
Balance, March 31, 2018	$ (4,788)