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<!-- Creation Date      : 2020-10-27T13:03:31.9549971+00:00 -->
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  <xsd:element id="maa_UnitsIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNet" name="UnitsIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssuesNet" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_GeneralPartnershipUnitsIssuedInExchangeForLimitedPartnershipUnits" name="GeneralPartnershipUnitsIssuedInExchangeForLimitedPartnershipUnits" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_AdjustmentForLimitedPartnersCapitalAtRedemptionValue" name="AdjustmentForLimitedPartnersCapitalAtRedemptionValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_Distributions" name="Distributions" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_UnitsRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue" name="UnitsRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_UnitsIssuedDuringPeriodValueUnitOptionsExercised" name="UnitsIssuedDuringPeriodValueUnitOptionsExercised" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_PartnershipUnitsIssuedInExchangeForRedeemableUnits" name="PartnershipUnitsIssuedInExchangeForRedeemableUnits" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_CapitalDisclosureLineItems" name="CapitalDisclosureLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_CapitalDisclosureTable" name="CapitalDisclosureTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccountMember" name="GeneralPartnersCapitalAccountMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_DisclosureMAALPCapitalSummaryOfChangesInTotalCapitalAndItsComponentsParentheticalDetailsAbstract" name="DisclosureMAALPCapitalSummaryOfChangesInTotalCapitalAndItsComponentsParentheticalDetailsAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_DisclosureDebtStructureAbstract" name="DisclosureDebtStructureAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_A1BillionUnsecuredRevolvingCreditFaciltiyMember" name="A1BillionUnsecuredRevolvingCreditFaciltiyMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_DebtInformationAxis" name="DebtInformationAxis" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_DebtInformationDomain" name="DebtInformationDomain" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_VariableRateCreditFacilityMember" name="VariableRateCreditFacilityMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_VariableRateCommercialPaperProgramMember" name="VariableRateCommercialPaperProgramMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_FixedRateDebtSeniorNotesMember" name="FixedRateDebtSeniorNotesMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_FairMarketValueAdjustmentandDebtIssuanceCostMember" name="FairMarketValueAdjustmentandDebtIssuanceCostMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_DisclosureNotesPayableAdditionalInformationAbstract" name="DisclosureNotesPayableAdditionalInformationAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_A1BillionUnsecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember" name="A1BillionUnsecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_AverageAxis" name="AverageAxis" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_AverageDomain" name="AverageDomain" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_YearstomaturityMember" name="YearstomaturityMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_OnePointSevenZeroNotesDueTwoThousandAndThirtyOneMember" name="OnePointSevenZeroNotesDueTwoThousandAndThirtyOneMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_WellsFargoTermLoanMember" name="WellsFargoTermLoanMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_MaturingJulyTwentyTwentyThreePropertyMortgageMember" name="MaturingJulyTwentyTwentyThreePropertyMortgageMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_MaturingJulyTwentyTwentyFourPropertyMortgageMember" name="MaturingJulyTwentyTwentyFourPropertyMortgageMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_NumberOfApartmentCommunities" name="NumberOfApartmentCommunities" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_NotesPayableExcludingInterestRateSwapsAndCapAgreements" name="NotesPayableExcludingInterestRateSwapsAndCapAgreements" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_DebtRenewalPeriod" name="DebtRenewalPeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_FixedRateDebtMember" name="FixedRateDebtMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_FloatingRateDebtMember" name="FloatingRateDebtMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_ConventionalVariableRateDebtMember" name="ConventionalVariableRateDebtMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndDerivativesEffectOfDerivativeInstrumentsOnConsolidatedStatementOfOperationsDetailsAbstract" name="DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndDerivativesEffectOfDerivativeInstrumentsOnConsolidatedStatementOfOperationsDetailsAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_CommonSharesIssuableUponConversionOfConvertibleStock" name="CommonSharesIssuableUponConversionOfConvertibleStock" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_CommonSharesAndOperatingPartnershipUnitsOutstanding" name="CommonSharesAndOperatingPartnershipUnitsOutstanding" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_AtTheMarketOfferingMember" name="AtTheMarketOfferingMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_NumberOfSharesRemainingForIssuance" name="NumberOfSharesRemainingForIssuance" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_OperatingPartnershipUnitsOutstanding" name="OperatingPartnershipUnitsOutstanding" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_ScheduleOfCapitalStructureLineItems" name="ScheduleOfCapitalStructureLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_ScheduleOfCapitalStructureTable" name="ScheduleOfCapitalStructureTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_RedeemableCapitalSharesParOrStatedValuePerShare" name="RedeemableCapitalSharesParOrStatedValuePerShare" type="num:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_LeaseExpirationYear" name="LeaseExpirationYear" type="xbrli:gYearItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_ClevenLitigationCaseMember" name="ClevenLitigationCaseMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_BrownLitigationCaseMember" name="BrownLitigationCaseMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_SameStoreMember" name="SameStoreMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_PeriodPropertiesOwnedAndStabilized" name="PeriodPropertiesOwnedAndStabilized" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_OccupancyLevelForStabilizedCommunities" name="OccupancyLevelForStabilizedCommunities" type="num:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_PeriodPropertiesStabilized" name="PeriodPropertiesStabilized" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_DisclosureRevenuesAndNoiForReportableSegmentAbstract" name="DisclosureRevenuesAndNoiForReportableSegmentAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_NonSameStoreAndOtherMember" name="NonSameStoreAndOtherMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_DisclosureAssetsForReportableSegmentAbstract" name="DisclosureAssetsForReportableSegmentAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_RealEstateAcquisitionDate" name="RealEstateAcquisitionDate" type="xbrli:gYearMonthItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_RealEstateDispositionDate" name="RealEstateDispositionDate" type="xbrli:gYearMonthItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_AcquisitionsandDisposalsLineItems" name="AcquisitionsandDisposalsLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_AcquisitionsAndDisposalsTable" name="AcquisitionsAndDisposalsTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_ColonialPromenadeMember" name="ColonialPromenadeMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element id="maa_GeorgetownMember" name="GeorgetownMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true" />
</xsd:schema>
