Organization (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 community Property apartment_home shares
Organization [Line Items]
Common partnership units and equivalents outstanding (in shares) | shares	149,133,826
Aimco's ownership interest in AIMCO Properties, L.P.	94.30%
Number of apartment homes | community	6
Number of apartment communities	1,480
Partially Owned Properties | Aimco Real Estate
Organization [Line Items]
Number of apartment homes | Property	134
Number of apartment communities	36,549
Wholly and Partially Owned and Consolidated Properties | Aimco Real Estate
Organization [Line Items]
Number of apartment homes | Property	130
Number of apartment communities	36,407
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P.
Organization [Line Items]
Common partnership units and equivalents outstanding (in shares) | shares	158,140,169