Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Summary information for the reportable segments
Tax credit and transaction revenues	$ 57	$ 2,856	$ 3,576	$ 5,547
Total revenues	250,187	249,092	497,907	495,573
Depreciation and amortization	97,485	89,155	190,033	176,323
General and administrative expenses	13,882	10,108	25,237	21,071
Other operating expenses not allocated to reportable segment (3)	115,733	101,913	222,594	201,783
Total operating expenses	200,826	189,386	395,169	378,078
Net operating income (loss)	49,361	59,706	102,738	117,495
Other Items included in income before gain on dispositions (4)	(42,427)	(39,623)	(50,438)	(79,863)
Income before gain on dispositions	6,934	20,083	52,300	37,632
Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	231,130	227,703	456,523	452,931
Property operating expenses	76,031	79,082	154,318	158,708
Operating Segments [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	214,478	193,908	420,800	385,414
Total revenues	214,478	193,908	420,800	385,414
Property operating expenses	60,930	55,559	120,273	111,734
Total operating expenses	60,930	55,559	120,273	111,734
Net operating income (loss)	153,548	138,349	300,527	273,680
Income before gain on dispositions	153,548	138,349	300,527	273,680
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Total revenues	8,192	13,547	16,978	27,388
Total operating expenses	7,655	8,870	15,914	17,880
Net operating income (loss)	537	4,677	1,064	9,508
Income before gain on dispositions	537	4,677	1,064	9,508
Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	8,192	13,547	16,978	27,388
Property operating expenses	7,655	8,870	15,914	17,880
Corporate Non-Segment [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Tax credit and transaction revenues	57	2,856	3,576	5,547
Total revenues	27,517	41,637	60,129	82,771
Other operating expenses not allocated to reportable segment (3)	115,733	101,913	222,594	201,783
Total operating expenses	132,241	124,957	258,982	248,464
Net operating income (loss)	(104,724)	(83,320)	(198,853)	(165,693)
Other Items included in income before gain on dispositions (4)	(42,427)	(39,623)	(50,438)	(79,863)
Income before gain on dispositions	(147,151)	(122,943)	(249,291)	(245,556)
Corporate Non-Segment [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	8,460	20,248	18,745	40,129
Property operating expenses	7,446	14,653	18,131	29,094
Asset Management [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	19,000	18,533	37,808	37,095
Property operating expenses	9,062	8,391	18,257	17,587
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	0	0	0
Asset Management [Member] | Corporate Non-Segment [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	19,000	18,533	37,808	37,095
Property operating expenses	$ 9,062	$ 8,391	$ 18,257	$ 17,587