v2.4.0.6

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 home | Jan. 31, 2013 Subsequent Events Avalon Yerba Buena Fund I home | Jan. 31, 2013 Subsequent Events Avalon Rothbury Fund II home
Subsequent Events |  |  |
Number of communities sold | 4 | 1 | 1
Number of apartment homes sold |  | 160 | 205
Proceeds from sale of real estate |  | $ 103,000,000 | $ 39,600,000

X
- Definition Represents the number of apartment communities sold during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the number of apartment homes sold during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberOfApartmentHomesSold
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Cash received for the sale of real estate that is not part of an investing activity during the current period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 24 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type: | duration