XML 49 R34.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.6.0.2

Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 15 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) community land_parcel home building $ / shares | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares | Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares | Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares | Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) community land_parcel home building $ / shares shares | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Basic and diluted shares outstanding |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted average common shares—basic | shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 136,928,251 | 133,565,711 | 130,586,718 |
Weighted average DownREIT units outstanding (in shares) | shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,500 | 7,500 | 7,500 |
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares) | shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 525,886 | 1,019,966 | 643,284 |
Weighted average common shares - diluted (in shares) | shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 137,461,637 | 134,593,177 | 131,237,502 |
Calculation of Earnings per Share—basic |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ 242,235 | $ 356,392 | $ 197,444 | $ 237,931 | $ 155,428 | $ 206,142 | $ 172,324 | $ 208,144 | $ 1,034,002 | $ 742,038 | $ 683,567 |
Net income allocated to unvested restricted shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2,610) | (1,774) | (1,523) |
Net income attributable to common stockholders, adjusted |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,031,392 | $ 740,264 | $ 682,044 |
Weighted average common shares—basic | shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 136,928,251 | 133,565,711 | 130,586,718 |
Earnings per common share - basic (in dollars per share) | $ / shares | $ 1.76 | $ 2.60 | $ 1.44 | $ 1.73 | $ 1.13 | $ 1.54 | $ 1.30 | $ 1.57 | $ 7.53 | $ 5.54 | $ 5.22 |
Calculation of Earnings per Share—diluted |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ 242,235 | $ 356,392 | $ 197,444 | $ 237,931 | $ 155,428 | $ 206,142 | $ 172,324 | $ 208,144 | $ 1,034,002 | $ 742,038 | $ 683,567 |
Add: noncontrolling interests of DownREIT unitholders in consolidated partnerships, including discontinued operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 41 | 38 | 35 |
Adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,034,043 | $ 742,076 | $ 683,602 |
Weighted average common shares—diluted | shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 137,461,637 | 134,593,177 | 131,237,502 |
Earnings per common share - diluted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares | $ 1.76 | $ 2.59 | $ 1.44 | $ 1.73 | $ 1.13 | $ 1.53 | $ 1.29 | $ 1.56 | $ 7.52 | $ 5.51 | $ 5.21 |
Dividends per common share: (in dollars per share) | $ / shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 5.4 | $ 5 | $ 4.64 |
Casualty Loss, Abandoned Pursuit Costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Abandoned pursuits costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 4,183 | $ 3,016 | $ 3,964 |
Casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (3,935) | (10,542) | 0 |
Number of Land Parcels Impaired | land_parcel |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 |  |  |
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated entities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0 | 0 | 0 |
Real Estate Investment Property, Net | $ 15,045,593 |  |  |  | $ 13,847,526 |  |  |  | 15,045,593 | 13,847,526 |  |
Gain on Business Interruption Insurance Recovery |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 20,564 | 1,509 | $ 2,494 |
Number of Real Estate Properties | community | 258 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 258 |  |  |
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | home | 74,538 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 74,538 |  |  |
Number of Land Parcels Held For Sale | land_parcel | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |
Land [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casualty Loss, Abandoned Pursuit Costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 10,500 |  |  |
Avalon at Edgewater [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casualty Loss, Abandoned Pursuit Costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (8,702) | (15,538) |  |
Insurance Proceeds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 29,008 | 44,142 |  | $ 73,150
Real Estate Investment Property, Net |  |  |  |  | $ 21,844 |  |  |  |  | 21,844 |  |
Casualty Loss |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6,760 |  |
Gain on Business Interruption Insurance Recovery |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 20,306 |  |  |
Number of Real Estate Properties | building | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |
Number Of Real Estate Properties, Uninhabitable | building | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |
Number Of Units In Real Estate Property, Uninhabitable | home | 240 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 240 |  |  |
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | home | 168 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 168 |  |  |
New England [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casualty Loss, Abandoned Pursuit Costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (5,732) |  |  |
Insurance Proceeds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,493 |  |  |
Casualty Loss |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,761 |  |  |
New England [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casualty Loss, Abandoned Pursuit Costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,195 |  |
New England [Member] | Avalon at Edgewater [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casualty Loss, Abandoned Pursuit Costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casualty and impairment (gain) loss, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 26,039 |  |
Stock Options |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated forfeiture rate of stock options (as a percent) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.80% |  |  |

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_AbandonedPursuitCostsAndImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs, Abandoned Pursuit Costs + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCostsAbandonedPursuitCosts
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of real property to fair value resulting from a casualty event. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_CasualtyLoss
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Insurance proceeds received relating to a casualty loss. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_InsuranceProceeds
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number Of Real Estate Properties, Uninhabitable + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesUninhabitable
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number Of Units In Real Estate Property, Uninhabitable + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstatePropertyUninhabitable
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of Land Parcels Held For Sale + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberofLandParcelsHeldForSale
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of Land Parcels Impaired + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_NumberofLandParcelsImpaired
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the annual forfeiture rate of awards under equity-based compensation arrangement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | avb_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAnnualForfeitureRate
Namespace Prefix: | avb_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 52 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65016374&loc=d3e4984-109258 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(19)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=d3e1252-109256 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(21)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(23)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(19)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=d3e1252-109256 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(21)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(23)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net amount (to the extent disclosed within this portion of the income statement) by which an insurance settlement exceeds incremental costs incurred from the event causing an interruption of business, plus the insurance award for earnings lost from the event, such as a natural catastrophe, explosion or fire. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64839914&loc=d3e16285-107787 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainOnBusinessInterruptionInsuranceRecovery
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount by which the fair value of an investment is less than the amortized cost basis or carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 34 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27723805&loc=d3e25351-111560 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of real property to fair value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64862545&loc=d3e2921-110230 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.19) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=d3e1377-109256 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Net Income or Loss Available to Common Stockholders plus adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 16 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=d3e1505-109256 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=d3e1377-109256 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of real estate investment property, net of accumulated depreciation, which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; and (7) other real estate investments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The earnings that is allocated to common stock and participating securities to the extent that each security may share in earnings as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 65 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=d3e2793-109256 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 60A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=SL5780132-109256 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 66 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=d3e2814-109256 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 60 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=d3e2740-109256 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 60B -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=SL5780133-109256 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UndistributedEarnings
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of undistributed earnings (loss) allocated to participating securities for the basic earnings (loss) per share or per unit calculation under the two-class method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 60B -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=SL5780133-109256 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UndistributedEarningsLossAllocatedToParticipatingSecuritiesBasic
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 16 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=d3e1505-109256 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The average number of limited partnership and general partnership units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per limited partnership and general partnership unit. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfLimitedPartnershipAndGeneralPartnershipUnitOutstandingBasicAndDiluted
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64863997&loc=d3e1448-109256 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6528421 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=us-gaap_LandMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=avb_AvalonAtEdgewaterMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=avb_NewEnglandMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=avb_NewEnglandMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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