Unaudited Summarized Consolidated Quarterly Information - Summary of Unaudited Consolidated Quarterly Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ 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
Summarized unaudited consolidated quarterly information
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
Net income	9,840	603,917	7,156	95,690	286,189	22,144	21,591	17,155	716,603	347,079	483,273
Net income attributable to Aimco common stockholders	$ 5,226	$ 567,029	$ 2,817	$ 81,525	$ 262,097	$ 17,430	$ 15,843	$ 11,491	$ 656,597	$ 306,861	$ 417,781
Net income attributable to the company per common share/unit - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 3.62	$ 0.02	$ 0.52	$ 1.68	$ 0.11	$ 0.10	$ 0.07	$ 4.21	$ 1.96	$ 2.68
Net income attributable to the company per common share/unit - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 3.61	$ 0.02	$ 0.52	$ 1.67	$ 0.11	$ 0.10	$ 0.07	$ 4.21	$ 1.96	$ 2.67
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P.
Summarized unaudited consolidated quarterly information
Total revenues	$ 232,022	$ 242,481	$ 250,187	$ 247,720	$ 255,229	$ 254,635	$ 249,092	$ 246,481
Net income	9,840	603,917	7,156	95,690	286,189	22,144	21,591	17,155
Net income attributable to Aimco common stockholders	$ 5,551	$ 597,100	$ 2,949	$ 85,274	$ 274,380	$ 18,246	$ 16,627	$ 12,047
Net income attributable to the company per common share/unit - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 3.62	$ 0.02	$ 0.52	$ 1.68	$ 0.11	$ 0.10	$ 0.07
Net income attributable to the company per common share/unit - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 3.61	$ 0.02	$ 0.52	$ 1.67	$ 0.11	$ 0.10	$ 0.07