QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned officers of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (the "Company") hereby certify that the Company's annual report on Form 10-K to which this certification is attached (the "Report"), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: February 22, 2013 |  |
|  | /s/ TIMOTHY J. NAUGHTON Timothy J. Naughton Chief Executive Officer
|  | /s/ THOMAS J. SARGEANT Thomas J. Sargeant Chief Financial Officer

This certification is being furnished and not filed, and shall not be incorporated into any document for any purpose, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the Securities Act of 1933.

QuickLinks

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION