Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Summary information for the reportable segments
Tax credit and transaction revenues	$ 3,519	$ 2,691
Total revenues	247,720	246,481
Depreciation and amortization	92,548	87,168
General and administrative expenses	11,355	10,962
Other operating expenses not allocated to reportable segment (3)	106,861	99,868
Total operating expenses	194,343	188,692
Net operating income (loss)	53,377	57,789
Other Items included in income before gain on dispositions (4)	(8,011)	(40,240)
Income before gain on dispositions	45,366	17,549
Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	225,393	225,228
Property operating expenses	78,287	79,626
Operating Segments [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	214,387	199,400
Total revenues	214,387	199,400
Property operating expenses	61,903	58,528
Total operating expenses	61,903	58,528
Net operating income (loss)	152,484	140,872
Income before gain on dispositions	152,484	140,872
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Total revenues	9,149	14,174
Total operating expenses	8,631	9,402
Net operating income (loss)	518	4,772
Income before gain on dispositions	518	4,772
Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	9,149	14,174
Property operating expenses	8,631	9,402
Corporate Non-Segment [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Tax credit and transaction revenues	3,519	2,691
Total revenues	24,184	32,907
Other operating expenses not allocated to reportable segment (3)	106,861	99,868
Total operating expenses	123,809	120,762
Net operating income (loss)	(99,625)	(87,855)
Other Items included in income before gain on dispositions (4)	(8,011)	(40,240)
Income before gain on dispositions	(107,636)	(128,095)
Corporate Non-Segment [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	1,857	11,654
Property operating expenses	7,753	11,696
Asset Management [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	18,808	18,562
Property operating expenses	9,195	9,198
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	18,808	18,562
Property operating expenses	$ 9,195	$ 9,198