Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Schedule of Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balances	$ 1,144,674
Contributions	665
Issuance of preferred equity	9,836
Preferred equity dividends	(12,439)
Common dividends and distributions	(35,861)
Redemptions of common units	(3,283)
Amortization of stock based compensation cost	1,912
Stock option exercises	1,854
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (Note 4)	(38,466)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,864	57
Other	175
Net Loss	8,977
Ending Balances	1,080,908
Partners' capital attributable to the Partnership [Member]
Schedule of Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balances	874,008
Issuance of preferred equity	9,836
Preferred equity dividends	(12,439)
Common dividends and distributions	(23,269)
Redemptions of common units	(3,283)
Amortization of stock based compensation cost	1,912
Stock option exercises	1,854
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (Note 4)	(28,314)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,850
Other	175
Net Loss	1,212
Ending Balances	824,542
Aimco Equity [Member]
Schedule of Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balances	908,329
Issuance of preferred equity	9,836
Preferred equity dividends	(12,439)
Common dividends and distributions	(21,806)
Amortization of stock based compensation cost	1,912
Stock option exercises	1,854
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (Note 4)	(30,517)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,669
Other	232
Net Loss	1,949
Ending Balances	862,019
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Real Estate Partnerships [Member]
Schedule of Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balances	270,666
Contributions	665
Common dividends and distributions	(12,592)
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (Note 4)	(10,152)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	14
Net Loss	7,765
Ending Balances	256,366
Common Noncontrolling Interests in Aimco Operating Partnership [Member]
Schedule of Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balances	(34,321)
Common dividends and distributions	(1,463)
Redemptions of common units	(3,283)
Effect of changes in ownership for consolidated entities (Note 4)	2,203
Change in accumulated other comprehensive loss	181
Other	(57)
Net Loss	(737)
Ending Balances	$ (37,477)