Business Segments - Revenues, Net Operating Income and Income Before Gain on Dispositions of Real Estate Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary information for the reportable segments
Tax credit and transaction revenues									$ 6,987	$ 13,243	$ 21,323
Total revenues	$ 232,022	$ 242,481	$ 250,187	$ 247,720	$ 255,229	$ 254,635	$ 249,092	$ 246,481	972,410	1,005,437	995,854
Other operating expenses not allocated to reportable segment									427,832	456,870	394,145
Total operating expenses									756,654	811,454	749,058
Proportionate property net operating income									0	0	0
Other items included in income before income tax benefit									487,820	122,260	217,635
Income before income tax benefit									703,576	316,243	464,431
Asset Management
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues									42,830	74,046	74,640
Property operating expenses									20,921	35,458	36,956
Aimco Real Estate
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues									922,593	918,148	899,891
Property operating expenses									307,901	319,126	317,957
Real Estate | Aimco Real Estate
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues									854,240	781,194	720,302
Total revenues									854,240	781,194	720,302
Property operating expenses									238,860	222,731	210,426
Total operating expenses									238,860	222,731	210,426
Proportionate property net operating income									615,380	558,463	509,876
Income before income tax benefit									615,380	558,463	509,876
Real Estate | Aimco Real Estate | Asset Management
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues									0	0	0
Property operating expenses									0	0	0
Proportionate and Other Adjustments
Summary information for the reportable segments
Total revenues									34,282	43,043	55,257
Total operating expenses									32,169	32,432	35,468
Proportionate property net operating income									0	0	0
Income before income tax benefit									2,113	10,611	19,789
Proportionate and Other Adjustments | Aimco Real Estate
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues									34,282	43,043	55,257
Property operating expenses									32,169	32,432	35,468
Corporate and Amounts Not Allocated to Reportable Segment
Summary information for the reportable segments
Tax credit and transaction revenues									6,987	13,243	21,323
Total revenues									83,888	181,200	220,295
Other operating expenses not allocated to reportable segment									427,832	456,870	394,145
Total operating expenses									485,625	556,291	503,164
Proportionate property net operating income									0	0	0
Other items included in income before income tax benefit									487,820	122,260	217,635
Income before income tax benefit									86,083	(252,831)	(65,234)
Corporate and Amounts Not Allocated to Reportable Segment | Asset Management
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues									42,830	74,046	74,640
Property operating expenses									20,921	35,458	36,956
Corporate and Amounts Not Allocated to Reportable Segment | Aimco Real Estate
Summary information for the reportable segments
Rental and other property revenues									34,071	93,911	124,332
Property operating expenses									$ 36,872	$ 63,963	$ 72,063