Real Estate Properties (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				0 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Multi-family	Mar. 31, 2013 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Purchase of properties item	Apr. 29, 2013 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Subsequent event Purchase of properties item	Apr. 29, 2013 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Subsequent event Purchase of properties Estimated	Mar. 31, 2013 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Minimum Purchase of properties	Mar. 31, 2013 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Maximum Purchase of properties	Oct. 04, 2012 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures North Charleston, SC Purchase of properties item	Nov. 15, 2012 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Cordova, TN Purchase of properties item	Nov. 19, 2012 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Decatur, GA Purchase of properties item	Jan. 11, 2013 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Panama City, FL Purchase of properties item	Apr. 19, 2013 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Houston, TX Subsequent event Purchase of properties item	Apr. 19, 2013 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Houston, TX Subsequent event Purchase of properties Estimated	Apr. 29, 2013 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Pooler, GA Subsequent event Purchase of properties item	Apr. 29, 2013 Multi-family Consolidated joint ventures Pooler, GA Subsequent event Purchase of properties Estimated
Real Estate Properties
Interest in joint venture (as a percent)							80.00%		80.00%	90.00%
Number of Units						1,044	540				208	464	212	160	240		300
Contract Purchase Price			$ 64,600		$ 64,600	$ 64,600	$ 52,013				$ 21,500	$ 25,450	$ 10,450	$ 7,200	$ 16,763		$ 35,250
Acquisition Mortgage Debt						50,597	39,600				17,716	19,248	8,046	5,587	13,200		26,400
BRT Equity						16,190	11,843				4,410	6,220	3,396	2,164	3,723		8,120
Property Acquisition Costs	$ 160	$ 1,793	$ 1,038	$ 1,793		$ 966		$ 586			$ 213	$ 386	$ 231	$ 136		$ 445		$ 141