Segment information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2021 USD ($) Properties	Apr. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2021 USD ($) segments Properties	Jul. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 12,542			$ 12,149			$ 38,100	$ 41,430
Real estate operating expenses	9,105			9,308			27,669	33,361
Operating income	3,437			2,841			10,431	8,069
Reconciliation to condensed consolidated net income attributable to common equity:
Segment NOI	7,177			6,920			21,747	23,836
Deferred rents - straight lining	(12)			(334)			(225)	(213)
Investment income	29			38			88	174
General and administrative expenses	(1,413)			(1,233)			(4,143)	(3,061)
Third party transaction costs				(87)				(4,606)
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary								27,680
Loss on investment in tenancy-in-common	(100)			(78)			(245)	(96)
Depreciation	(2,315)			(2,425)			(6,948)	(7,887)
Financing costs	(3,050)			(3,121)			(9,242)	(11,032)
Net income (loss)	316	$ (63)	$ 779	(320)	$ 27,136	$ (2,021)	1,032	24,795
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(107)			139			(256)	(18)
Net income (loss) attributable to common equity	$ 209			(181)			$ 776	24,777
Number of reportable segments | segments							2
Commercial [Member]
Reconciliation to condensed consolidated net income attributable to common equity:
Number of properties | Properties	8						8
Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Recurring capital improvements	$ (258)			(127)			$ (438)	(353)
Reconciliation to condensed consolidated net income attributable to common equity:
Number of properties | Properties	7						7
Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 12,554			12,483			$ 38,325	41,643
Real estate operating expenses	5,377			5,563			16,578	17,807
Operating income	7,177			6,920			21,747	23,836
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	5,885			6,090			18,299	19,638
Real estate operating expenses	2,535			2,914			8,346	8,810
Operating income	3,350			3,176			9,953	10,828
Operating Segments [Member] | Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	6,669			6,393			20,026	22,005
Real estate operating expenses	2,842			2,649			8,232	8,997
Operating income	$ 3,827			$ 3,744			$ 11,794	$ 13,008