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, 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
Summarized unaudited consolidated quarterly information
Total revenues	$ 173,746	$ 178,124	$ 181,643	$ 186,043	$ 191,831	$ 192,013	$ 190,311	$ 196,447	$ 719,556	$ 770,602	$ 840,247
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(132,169)	(27,393)	40,079	4,911	138,678	85	63,818	285,951	(114,572)	488,532	695,612
Net income from discontinued operations	1,459	2,578	3,125	4,066	4,088	3,885	6,178	5,344	11,228	19,495	20,991
Net income (loss) 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
Net income (loss) attributable to AIR per common share – basic	$ (0.96)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.33	$ 0.06	$ 1.11	$ 0.02	$ 0.49	$ 2.33	$ (0.85)	$ 3.91	$ 5.38
Net income (loss) 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, L.P. [Member]
Summarized unaudited consolidated quarterly information
Total revenues	$ 173,746	$ 178,124	$ 181,643	$ 186,043	$ 191,831	$ 192,013	$ 190,311	$ 196,447
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(132,169)	(27,393)	40,079	4,911	138,678	85	63,818	285,951
Net income from discontinued operations	1,459	2,578	3,125	4,066	4,088	3,885	6,178	5,344
Net income (loss) attributable to AIR common stockholders	$ (131,746)	$ (26,387)	$ 41,319	$ 7,047	$ 140,583	$ 2,138	$ 62,817	$ 286,639
Net income (loss) attributable to AIR per common share – basic	$ (0.96)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.33	$ 0.06	$ 0.90	$ 0.02	$ 0.50	$ 2.33
Net income (loss) attributable to AIR per common share – diluted	$ (0.96)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.33	$ 0.06	$ 0.90	$ 0.02	$ 0.50	$ 2.33