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, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Summarized unaudited consolidated quarterly information
Total revenues	$ 230,032	$ 229,827	$ 224,200	$ 230,235	$ 232,022	$ 242,481	$ 250,187	$ 247,720	$ 914,294	$ 972,410	$ 1,005,437
Net income	142,766	3,970	69,996	291,295	9,840	603,917	7,156	95,690	508,027	716,603	347,079
Net income attributable to Aimco common stockholders	$ 133,339	$ 2,003	$ 59,234	$ 271,568	$ 5,226	$ 567,029	$ 2,817	$ 81,525	$ 466,144	$ 656,597	$ 306,861
Net income attributable to Aimco per common share – basic	$ 0.90	$ 0.01	$ 0.40	$ 1.88	$ 0.04	$ 3.73	$ 0.02	$ 0.54	$ 3.16	$ 4.34	$ 2.02
Net income attributable to Aimco per common share – diluted	$ 0.90	$ 0.01	$ 0.40	$ 1.88	$ 0.04	$ 3.73	$ 0.02	$ 0.54	$ 3.15	$ 4.34	$ 2.02
AIMCO PROPERTIES, L.P. [Member]
Summarized unaudited consolidated quarterly information
Total revenues	$ 230,032	$ 229,827	$ 224,200	$ 230,235	$ 232,022	$ 242,481	$ 250,187	$ 247,720
Net income	142,766	3,970	69,996	291,295	9,840	603,917	7,156	95,690
Net income attributable to Aimco common stockholders	$ 140,583	$ 2,138	$ 62,817	$ 286,639	$ 5,551	$ 597,100	$ 2,949	$ 85,274
Net income attributable to Aimco per common share – basic	$ 0.90	$ 0.01	$ 0.40	$ 1.88	$ 0.04	$ 3.73	$ 0.02	$ 0.54
Net income attributable to Aimco per common share – diluted	$ 0.90	$ 0.01	$ 0.40	$ 1.88	$ 0.04	$ 3.72	$ 0.02	$ 0.54