Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Summary information for the reportable segments
Tax credit and transaction revenues	$ 3,411	$ 2,695	$ 6,987	$ 8,242
Total revenues	242,481	254,635	740,388	750,208
Depreciation and amortization	96,406	92,513	286,439	268,836
General and administrative expenses	12,479	10,529	37,196	31,599
Other operating expenses not allocated to reportable segment (3)	114,665	105,314	337,259	307,096
Total operating expenses	195,527	195,430	590,696	573,508
Net operating income (loss)	46,954	59,205	149,692	176,700
Other Items included in income before gain on dispositions (4)	(15,122)	(36,828)	(65,560)	(116,691)
Income before gain (loss) on dispositions	31,832	22,377	84,132	60,009
Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	234,048	233,708	690,571	686,639
Property operating expenses	78,254	81,244	232,572	239,954
Operating Segments [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	222,856	203,935	643,656	589,349
Total revenues	222,856	203,935	643,656	589,349
Property operating expenses	62,863	57,592	183,119	169,311
Total operating expenses	62,863	57,592	183,119	169,311
Net operating income (loss)	159,993	146,343	460,537	420,038
Income before gain (loss) on dispositions	159,993	146,343	460,537	420,038
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Total revenues	8,926	8,155	25,903	35,542
Total operating expenses	8,405	7,609	24,337	25,505
Net operating income (loss)	521	546	1,566	10,037
Income before gain (loss) on dispositions	521	546	1,566	10,037
Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	8,926	8,155	25,903	35,542
Property operating expenses	8,405	7,609	24,337	25,505
Corporate Non-Segment [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Tax credit and transaction revenues	3,411	2,695	6,987	8,242
Total revenues	10,699	42,545	70,829	125,317
Other operating expenses not allocated to reportable segment (3)	114,665	105,314	337,259	307,096
Total operating expenses	124,259	130,229	383,240	378,692
Net operating income (loss)	(113,560)	(87,684)	(312,411)	(253,375)
Other Items included in income before gain on dispositions (4)	(15,122)	(36,828)	(65,560)	(116,691)
Income before gain (loss) on dispositions	(128,682)	(124,512)	(377,971)	(370,066)
Corporate Non-Segment [Member] | Aimco Real Estate [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	2,266	21,618	21,012	61,748
Property operating expenses	6,986	16,043	25,116	45,138
Asset Management [Member]
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues	5,022	18,232	42,830	55,327
Property operating expenses	2,608	8,872	20,865	26,458
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	5,022	18,232	42,830	55,327
Property operating expenses	$ 2,608	$ 8,872	$ 20,865	$ 26,458