Discontinued operations (Details Narrative) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2013 Heights Manor Apartments	Oct. 31, 2013 Palisades Manor Apartments	Oct. 31, 2013 Palisades Manor Apartments	Oct. 31, 2013 Grandview Apartments	Oct. 31, 2013 Grandview Apartments	Oct. 31, 2013 Federal	Oct. 31, 2013 State
Description of discontinued operations					The gains from the sales of the three discontinued properties described above, as well as the related results of operations, have been classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of income for all periods presented.		The gains from the sales of the three discontinued properties described above, as well as the related results of operations, have been classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of income for all periods presented.		The gains from the sales of the three discontinued properties described above, as well as the related results of operations, have been classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of income for all periods presented.
Status of disposal					On August 29, 2012, FREIT sold its Heights Manor Apartments in Spring Lake Heights, NJ.		On April 26, 2013, FREIT sold its Palisades Manor Apartments in Palisades Park, New Jersey.		On August 13, 2013, FREIT sold its Grandview Apartments in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey.
Sale of property							$ 1,600		$ 2,500
Capital gain on sale of apartments	3,545		7,528		9,500		1,400		2,200
Deferred gain, if sale structured as like-kind exchange						1,400	1,400
Distributions to shareholders			5,000		1,400	1,400		2,200
Income taxes on undistributed gains			1,965							1,500	400
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation	(720)	[1]			(720)
Revenue from discontinued operations	$ 317		$ 1,299	$ 1,456

[1] Income tax adjustment relating to fiscal 2012 gain on sale of discontinued operation.