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Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation (Policies) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2016
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation [Abstract] |
Basis Of Presentation And Principles Of Consolidation Policy [Policy Text Block] | Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by our management in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The condensed consolidated financial statements of MAA presented herein include the accounts of MAA, the Operating Partnership, and all other subsidiaries in which MAA has a controlling financial interest. MAA owns approximately 95% to 100% of all consolidated subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership. The condensed consolidated financial statements of MAALP presented herein include the accounts of MAALP and all other subsidiaries in which MAALP has a controlling financial interest. MAALP owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of all consolidated subsidiaries. In our opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements have been included, and all such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We invest in entities which may qualify as variable interest entities, or VIEs. A VIE is a legal entity in which the equity investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or, as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack the power to direct the activities of a legal entity as well as the obligation to absorb its expected losses or the right to receive its expected residual returns. We consolidate all VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary and use the equity method to account for investments that qualify as VIEs but for which we are not the primary beneficiary. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consider qualitative and quantitative factors, including but not limited to, those activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and which party controls such activities. Effective January 1, 2016, we adopted ASU 2015-02, Consolidation: Topic 810, which resulted in the Operating Partnership now being classified as a VIE, since the limited partners of both entities lack substantive kick-out rights and substantive participating rights. The adoption of the new standard did not result in the consolidation of entities not previously consolidated or the de-consolidation of any entities previously consolidated. We are the primary beneficiary of, and continue to consolidate, both entities, and there was no material effect on our financial position or results of operations as a result of this adoption. See Footnote 14, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, for further details on the adoption of this standard. We use the equity method of accounting for our investments in entities for which we exercise significant influence, but do not have the ability to exercise control. These entities are not VIEs. The factors considered in determining that we do not have the ability to exercise control include ownership of voting interests and participatory rights of investors.

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