Earnings per Share and per Unit - Reconciliations of Numerator and Denominator in Calculations of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share and per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share:
Income (Loss) from continuing operations attributable to AIR									$ (115,961)	$ 446,460	$ 635,611
Income from discontinued operations attributable to AIR									11,632	19,684	20,986
Net (loss) income attributable to AIR common stockholders	$ (125,174)	$ (25,046)	$ 39,212	$ 6,679	$ 133,339	$ 2,003	$ 59,234	$ 271,568	$ (104,329)	$ 466,144	$ 656,597
Income (Loss) from continuing operations attributable to AIR, Shares									122,446	119,307	122,097
Income from discontinued operations attributable to AIR, Shares									122,446	119,307	122,097
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIR common stockholders, Shares									122,446	119,307	122,097
Income (Loss) from continuing operations attributable to AIR, Per share amount									$ (0.94)	$ 3.75	$ 5.21
Income from discontinued operations attributable to AIR, Per share amount									0.09	0.16	0.17
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIR common stockholders, Per share amount									$ (0.85)	$ 3.91	$ 5.38
Diluted Earnings per Share:
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIR common stockholders									$ (104,329)	$ 466,144	$ 656,597
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIR common stockholders, Shares									122,446	119,533	122,243
Effect of dilutive securities, Shares										226	146
Effect of dilutive securities, Per share amount										$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)
Net (loss) income attributable to AIR per common share – diluted	$ (0.96)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.33	$ 0.06	$ 1.11	$ 0.02	$ 0.49	$ 2.33	$ (0.85)	$ 3.90	$ 5.37
AIMCO Properties, LP [Member]
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share:
Income (Loss) from continuing operations attributable to AIR									$ (121,399)	$ 472,493	$ 669,888
Income from discontinued operations attributable to AIR									11,632	19,684	20,986
Net (loss) income attributable to AIR common stockholders									$ (109,767)	$ 492,177	$ 690,874
Income (Loss) from continuing operations attributable to AIR, Shares									128,775	125,893	128,323
Income from discontinued operations attributable to AIR, Shares									128,775	125,893	128,323
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIR common stockholders, Shares									128,775	125,893	128,323
Income (Loss) from continuing operations attributable to AIR, Per share amount									$ (0.94)	$ 3.75	$ 5.22
Income from discontinued operations attributable to AIR, Per share amount									0.09	0.16	0.16
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIR common stockholders, Per share amount									$ (0.85)	$ 3.91	$ 5.38
Diluted Earnings per Share:
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIR common stockholders									$ (109,767)	$ 492,177	$ 690,874
Net Income (loss) attributable to AIR common stockholders, Shares									128,775	126,164	128,469
Effect of dilutive securities, Shares										271	146
Effect of dilutive securities, Per share amount										$ (0.01)
Net (loss) income attributable to AIR per common share – diluted									$ (0.85)	$ 3.90	$ 5.38