Variable Interest Entities - Summary of Assets and Liabilities of VIEs (Details) - Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Aimco Real Estate
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Net real estate	$ 488,127	$ 529,898
Cash and cash equivalents	15,416	16,111
Restricted cash	4,461	4,798
Non-recourse property debt	322,685	412,205
Accrued liabilities and other	13,576	10,623
Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations \| Asset Management
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Net real estate	0	215,580
Cash and cash equivalents	0	15,931
Restricted cash	0	30,107
Non-recourse property debt	0	220,356
Accrued liabilities and other	$ 0	$ 20,241

Amount of expenses incurred but not yet paid nor invoiced, and liabilities classified as other.

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Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

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Amount of real estate investment property, net of accumulated depreciation, which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; and (7) other real estate investments.

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Amount of cash and cash equivalents restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date, including the current and noncurrent portions, of collateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.

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