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Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions - Additional Information (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2017 Apartments
Charlotte at Midtown [Member]
Business Acquisitions and Dispositions [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	279

X

- Definition

Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	maa_AcquisitionsandDisposalsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	maa_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=maa_CharlotteatMIdtownMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: