Carrying value as of the balance sheet date, of debt obligations collateralized by single family properties.

No definition available.

Name:	amh_AssetBackedSecuritization
Namespace Prefix:	amh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the minimum debt service coverage ratio, as defined, pursuant to the financial covenants contained in the debt agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amh_DebtInstrumentMinimumCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	amh_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the ratio of monthly principal payment of loan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amh_DebtInstrumentMonthlyPrincipalPaymentRatio
Namespace Prefix:	amh_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of extension options for debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amh_DebtInstrumentNumberOfExtensionOptions
Namespace Prefix:	amh_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the period of extension options for debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amh_DebtInstrumentPeriodOfExtensionOptions
Namespace Prefix:	amh_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Investments, Debt, and Equity Securities, Number of Pass-through Certificates

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amh_InvestmentsDebtandEquitySecuritiesNumberofPassthroughCertificates
Namespace Prefix:	amh_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage of rate increased in the event of loan not paid.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amh_PercentageOfRateIncreasedInEventOfLoanNotPaid
Namespace Prefix:	amh_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the period of debt service considered for debt coverage ratio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amh_PeriodOfDebtServiceConsideredForDebtCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	amh_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Term of a United States Treasury note for which the bid side yield to maturity will be added to the interest rate on the securitization if it is not repaid within the ten year repayment period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amh_UnitedStateTreasuryTerm
Namespace Prefix:	amh_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of debt issuance costs (for example, but not limited to, legal, accounting, broker, and regulatory fees).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtIssuanceCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- 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

- Definition

Proceeds from securitizations of receivables treated as collateralized borrowings, which are classified as financing transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromAccountsReceivableSecuritization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- 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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=amh_AssetBackedSecuritizationsMay2014SecuritizationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=amh_AssetBackedSecuritizationsSeptember2014SecuritizationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=amh_AssetBackedSecuritizationsNovember2014SecuritizationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=amh_AssetBackedSecuritizationsFebruary2015SecuritizationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=amh_SingleFamilyHomesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=amh_AssetBackedSecuritizationsSeptember2015SecuritizationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=amh_SeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=amh_UntilMarchTwoThousandAndSeventeenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=amh_AfterMarchTwoThousandAndSeventeenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt (Details)	1 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
Debt (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) single_family_property	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) single_family_property extension_option pass_through_certificate	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) single_family_property	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitizations	$ 2,536,192,000			$ 2,536,192,000	$ 1,519,390,000
Secured note payable	50,980,000			50,980,000	51,644,000
Credit facility	0			0	207,000,000
Total debt	$ 2,587,172,000			$ 2,587,172,000	$ 1,778,034,000
Investments, Debt, and Equity Securities, Number of Pass-through Certificates \| pass_through_certificate				8
Number of properties \| single_family_property	38,377			38,377	34,599
Single-family properties, net	$ 6,267,464,000			$ 6,267,464,000	$ 5,710,671,000
2014-SFR 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	1.79%			1.79%
Asset-backed securitizations	$ 474,958,000			$ 474,958,000	478,565,000
Debt instrument initial term				2 years
Number of extension options \| extension_option				3
Period of extension options				12 months
2014-SFR 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.42%			4.42%
Asset-backed securitizations	$ 508,587,000			$ 508,587,000	512,435,000
2014-SFR 3
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.40%			4.40%
Asset-backed securitizations	$ 524,429,000			$ 524,429,000	528,390,000
2015-SFR 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.14%	4.14%		4.14%
Asset-backed securitizations	$ 550,502,000			$ 550,502,000	0
Debt instrument initial term		30 years
Percentage of rate increased in the event of loan not paid		3.00%
2015-SFR 1 \| Single Family Homes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
United States Treasury term		10 years
Gross proceeds from the sale of certificates		$ 552,800,000.0
Issuance costs for the sale of certificates		$ 13,300,000
Minimum coverage ratio		1.20
Period of debt service considered for debt coverage ratio		12 months
2015-SFR 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.36%			4.36%
Asset-backed securitizations	$ 477,716,000			$ 477,716,000	0
LIBOR \| 2014-SFR 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, description of variable rate				LIBOR
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				0.25%
LIBOR \| 2014-SFR 1 \| Weighted blended interest rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, description of variable rate				LIBOR
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				1.54%
Borrower \| 2015-SFR 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan amount		$ 552,800,000.0
Borrower \| 2015-SFR 1 \| Note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of monthly principal payment of loan		0.00083
Number of properties \| single_family_property	4,661			4,661
Single-family properties, net	$ 741,500,000			$ 741,500,000
Borrower \| 2015-SFR 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitizations	$ 477,716,000			$ 477,716,000
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
Debt instrument initial term	30 years
Debt, duration-adjusted weighted-average rate	4.36%			4.36%
United States Treasury term	10 years
Loan amount	$ 477,700,000			$ 477,700,000
Issuance costs for the sale of certificates	$ 11,300,000
Minimum coverage ratio	1.20
Single-family properties, net	$ 686,800,000			$ 686,800,000
Borrower \| 2015-SFR 2 \| Single Family Homes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of properties \| single_family_property	4,125			4,125
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.96%			2.96%
Credit facility amount, maximum			$ 800,000,000.0			$ 500,000,000
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility \| Until March 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	2.75%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility \| Until March 2017 \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, description of variable rate			30 day LIBOR
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate			2.75%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility \| March 2017 and Thereafter
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	3.125%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility \| March 2017 and Thereafter \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, description of variable rate			30 day LIBOR
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate			3.125%
Secured Notes Payable \| Note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.06%			4.06%
Secured note payable	$ 50,980,000			$ 50,980,000	$ 51,644,000