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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 multiplier person | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Employment Agreements and Arrangements [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of executive officers under agreement | 2 avb_NumberOfExecutivesInEmploymentAgreements |  |
Number of executives, case one | 1 avb_NumberOfExecutivesInCaseOne |  |
Compensation multiplier, case one | 2 avb_CompensationMultiplierInCaseOne |  |
Compensation multiplier, if the termination is in connection with a sale of the company, case one | 3 avb_CompensationMultiplierInCaseOneInConnectionWithSaleOfCompany |  |
Compensation multiplier, case two | 1 avb_CompensationMultiplierInCaseTwo |  |
Compensation multiplier, if the termination is in connection with a sale of the company, case two | 2 avb_CompensationMultiplierInCaseTwoInConnectionWithSaleOfCompany |  |
Proceeds from legal recoveries | $ 1,933 us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements | $ 0 us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements | $ 775 us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements
Lease Obligations [Abstract] |  |  |
Cost related to operating lease | 21,664 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense | 17,996 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense | 17,604 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Properties on Land Subject to Land Leases |  |  |
Lease Obligations [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of apartment communities | 12 avb_NumberOfOperatingApartmentCommunitiesOwned / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = avb_PropertiesOnLandSubjectToLandLeasesMember |  |
Number of communities under construction | 2 avb_NumberOfOperatingApartmentCommunitiesUnderConstruction / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = avb_PropertiesOnLandSubjectToLandLeasesMember |  |
Number of commercial properties owned | 2 avb_NumberOfCommercialPropertiesOwned / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = avb_PropertiesOnLandSubjectToLandLeasesMember |  |
Number of leased properties accounted for as operating leases | 14 avb_NumberOfLeasedPropertiesAccountedAsOperatingLeases / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = avb_PropertiesOnLandSubjectToLandLeasesMember |  |
Number of leased properties with purchase options | 4 avb_NumberOfLeasedPropertiesUnderPurchaseOptions / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = avb_PropertiesOnLandSubjectToLandLeasesMember |  |
Assets Held under Capital Leases |  |  |
Lease Obligations [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of apartment communities | 1 avb_NumberOfOperatingApartmentCommunitiesOwned / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember |  |
Number of development rights owned | 1 avb_AdditionalNumberOfCommunitiesOwnedThatCanBeDeveloped / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember |  |
Capital lease obligations | $ 34,268 us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember |  |
Restricted stock and stock options |  |  |
Employment Agreements and Arrangements [Abstract] |  |  |
Retirement age (in years) | 50 years |  |
Period of the non-compete agreement (in years) | 1 year |  |
Restricted stock and stock options | Minimum |  |  |
Employment Agreements and Arrangements [Abstract] |  |  |
Service period (in years) | 10 years |  |
Employee's age at retirement plus years of employment (in years) | 70 years |  |
Written notice period (in years) | 6 months |  |
Restricted stock and stock options | Maximum |  |  |
Employment Agreements and Arrangements [Abstract] |  |  |
Options exercise period upon termination without cause or retirement (in months) | 12 months |  |
Officer Severance Program | Vice President and Senior Vice President |  |  |
Employment Agreements and Arrangements [Abstract] |  |  |
Compensation multiplier | 1 avb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationMultiplier / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = avb_OfficerSeveranceProgramMember / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = avb_VicePresidentAndSeniorVicePresidentMember |  |
Officer Severance Program | Executive Vice Presidents |  |  |
Employment Agreements and Arrangements [Abstract] |  |  |
Compensation multiplier | 2 avb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationMultiplier / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = avb_OfficerSeveranceProgramMember / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = avb_ExecutiveVicePresidentsMember |  |
Officer Severance Program | Maximum |  |  |
Employment Agreements and Arrangements [Abstract] |  |  |
Termination period following a sale event (in years) | 18 months |  |

X
- Definition Additional number of communities owned (or in which a direct or indirect ownership interest is held) that can be developed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_AdditionalNumberOfCommunitiesOwnedThatCanBeDeveloped
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the compensation multiplier for executives under case one relating to employment agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_CompensationMultiplierInCaseOne
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the compensation multiple if the termination is in connection with a sale of the entity for executives under case one. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_CompensationMultiplierInCaseOneInConnectionWithSaleOfCompany
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the compensation multiplier for executives under case two relating to employment agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_CompensationMultiplierInCaseTwo
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the compensation multiple if the termination is in connection with a sale of the entity for executives under case two. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_CompensationMultiplierInCaseTwoInConnectionWithSaleOfCompany
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | avb_EmploymentAgreementsAndArrangementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | avb_LeaseObligationsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of commercial properties owned. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberOfCommercialPropertiesOwned
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the number of executives under case one relating to employment agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberOfExecutivesInCaseOne
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the number of executives that the entity has employment agreements with. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberOfExecutivesInEmploymentAgreements
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the number of leased properties accounted for as operating leases. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberOfLeasedPropertiesAccountedAsOperatingLeases
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of leased properties that have purchase options. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberOfLeasedPropertiesUnderPurchaseOptions
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of operating apartment communities owned (or in which a direct or indirect ownership interest is held). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberOfOperatingApartmentCommunitiesOwned
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the number of operating apartment communities under construction. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberOfOperatingApartmentCommunitiesUnderConstruction
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the sum of the age of an employee at Retirement plus years of employment with the entity, which is considered as a criterion for Retirement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAgeOfEmployeeAtRetirementPlusYearsOfEmployment
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the compensation (base salary plus annual cash bonus) multiplier considered for executives terminated. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardCompensationMultiplier
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the time period that an employee will have to exercise any options held upon termination without cause or retirement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExercisePeriodForOptionsHeldUponTerminationWithoutCauseOrRetirement
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the period of the non-compete agreement entered into by an employee. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRequisitePeriodOfNonCompeteAgreement
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the minimum period of written notice to be provided by an employee for communicating his intention to retire. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRequisitePeriodOfWrittenNoticeForRetirement
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the age of an employee that is considered for Retirement, which results in vesting of the equity-based payment award. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRequisiteRetirementAge
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the period following a sale within which if an employee, not covered by a severance agreement, terminates his employment, receives a lump sum payment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTerminationPeriodFollowingSaleEvent
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal through the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of rent expense incurred for leased assets, including but not limited to, furniture and equipment, that is not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Cash received for the settlement of litigation 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 25 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Estimated period over which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the equity-based payment award, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=avb_OfficerSeveranceProgramMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_StockCompensationPlanMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=avb_PropertiesOnLandSubjectToLandLeasesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |