Partners' Capital - Pro Forma Earnings per Common Unit (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Weighted average units, basic (in shares)	151,152	151,595	151,282
Weighted average units, diluted (in shares)	151,334	152,060	151,669
Basic earnings per unit (in dollars per share)	$ 4.34	$ 2.02	$ 2.76
Diluted earnings per unit (in dollars per share)	$ 4.34	$ 2.02	$ 2.75
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P.
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Weighted average units, basic (in shares)	158,890	158,793	158,808
Weighted average units, diluted (in shares)	159,073	159,257	159,194
Basic earnings per unit (in dollars per share)	$ 4.35	$ 2.02	$ 2.76
Diluted earnings per unit (in dollars per share)	$ 4.34	$ 2.02	$ 2.75