Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Buildings and improvements	$ 6,851,120	$ 6,757,384
Land	2,060,726	2,043,106
Total real estate	8,911,846	8,800,490
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,907,044)	(2,818,755)
Net real estate ($778,372 and $791,869 related to VIEs)	6,004,802	5,981,735
Cash and cash equivalents ($44,798 and $43,286related to VIEs)	83,234	91,066
Restricted cash ($40,761 and $44,020 related to VIEs)	173,963	186,265
Accounts receivable, net ($6,890 and $8,434 related to VIEs)	42,957	41,796
Notes receivable	110,259	111,205
Investment in unconsolidated real estate partnerships ($27,687 and $29,301 related to VIEs)	38,222	47,790
Other assets	359,442	346,373
Assets held for sale	10,751	65,632
Total assets	6,823,630	6,871,862
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Non-recourse property debt ($632,596 and $636,042 related to VIEs)	5,133,795	5,122,468
Revolving credit facility borrowings	67,400
Total indebtedness	5,201,195	5,122,468
Accounts payable	22,822	32,607
Accrued liabilities and other ($78,720 and $79,573 related to VIEs)	285,409	284,934
Deferred income	137,892	140,178
Liabilities related to assets held for sale	12,039	63,617
Total liabilities	5,659,357	5,643,804
Preferred noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership	83,365	83,384
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Equity:
Perpetual Preferred Stock	667,152	657,114
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 480,887,260 shares authorized, 121,351,204 and 120,916,294 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	1,214	1,209
Additional paid-in capital	3,071,523	3,098,333
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,191)	(6,860)
Distributions in excess of earnings	(2,873,679)	(2,841,467)
Total Aimco equity	862,019	908,329
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships	256,366	270,666
Common noncontrolling interests in Aimco Operating Partnership	(37,477)	(34,321)
Total equity	1,080,908	1,144,674
Total liabilities and equity	6,823,630	6,871,862
AIMCO PROPERTIES,L.P
ASSETS
Buildings and improvements	6,851,120	6,757,384
Land	2,060,726	2,043,106
Total real estate	8,911,846	8,800,490
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,907,044)	(2,818,755)
Net real estate ($778,372 and $791,869 related to VIEs)	6,004,802	5,981,735
Cash and cash equivalents ($44,798 and $43,286related to VIEs)	83,234	91,066
Restricted cash ($40,761 and $44,020 related to VIEs)	173,963	186,265
Accounts receivable, net ($6,890 and $8,434 related to VIEs)	42,957	41,796
Notes receivable	110,259	111,205
Investment in unconsolidated real estate partnerships ($27,687 and $29,301 related to VIEs)	38,222	47,790
Other assets	359,442	346,373
Assets held for sale	10,751	65,632
Total assets	6,823,630	6,871,862
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Non-recourse property debt ($632,596 and $636,042 related to VIEs)	5,133,795	5,122,468
Revolving credit facility borrowings	67,400
Total indebtedness	5,201,195	5,122,468
Accounts payable	22,822	32,607
Accrued liabilities and other ($78,720 and $79,573 related to VIEs)	285,409	284,934
Deferred income	137,892	140,178
Liabilities related to assets held for sale	12,039	63,617
Total liabilities	5,659,357	5,643,804
Redeemable preferred units	83,365	83,384
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Equity:
Preferred units	667,152	657,114
General Partner and Special Limited Partner	194,867	251,215
Limited Partners	(37,477)	(34,321)
Partners' capital attributable to the Aimco Operating Partnership	824,542	874,008
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated real estate partnerships	256,366	270,666
Total partners' capital	1,080,908	1,144,674
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,823,630	$ 6,871,862