Property held for sale and discontinued operations (Details Narrative) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Capital gain on sale of apartments before tax		$ 9,500
Distributions to shareholders		5,000
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation	(720)
Heights Manor Apartments
Description of discontinued operations	On August 29, 2012, FREIT sold its Heights Manor Apartments in Spring Lake Heights, NJ. The current quarter and prior's quarter operating results of Heights Manor have been classified as "Income from discontinued operations" income statement.
Capital gain on sale of apartments before tax	4,500
Distributions to shareholders	1,400
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation	(720)
Palisades Manor Apartments
Description of discontinued operations	The operating results of the Palisades Manor apartments have been classified as discontinued operations in the income statements for the three month periods ended January 31, 2013 and 2012. FREIT expects to recognize a gain in connection with the ultimate sale of this property.
Status of disposal	In January 2013, FREIT entered into a contract for the sale of the Palisades Manor Apartments in Palisades Park, New Jersey for $1.6 million.
Contract for sale of apartments	1,600
Expected gain on sale of property	1,500
Federal
Income taxes on undistributed gains		1,500
State
Income taxes on undistributed gains		$ 400,000

Amount of gain (loss), before tax expense or benefit and not previously recognized, resulting from the sale of a business component.

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Amount of tax expense or benefit on gain (loss), not previously recognized, resulting from the sale of a business component.

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- Definition

Tax benefit from provision recognizing a loss for initial, or subsequent, write-down to fair value (less cost to sell) of a of a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, which remains unsold as of the reporting date. May include a tax on the (gain) for the recognition of a subsequent increase in fair value (less cost to sell), but not in excess of the cumulative loss previously recognized through write-downs.

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- Definition

A description of the facts and circumstances leading to the completed or expected disposal, and the manner and timing of that disposal. Sales of disposal groups, including those classified as components of the entity (discontinued operations), are generally expected to be completed within one year of their classification as held-for-sale.

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- Definition

Cash outflow to owners or shareholders, excluding ordinary dividends. Includes special dividends.

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