Discontinued operations (Details Narrative) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014 Heights Manor Apartments	Jan. 31, 2014 Palisades Manor Apartments	Oct. 31, 2013 Palisades Manor Apartments	Jan. 31, 2014 Grandview Apartments	Jan. 31, 2014 South Brunswick property	Jan. 31, 2014 Federal	Jan. 31, 2014 State
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
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.	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.	On May 2, 2012, FREIT's Board authorized management to pursue the sale of its South Brunswick, NJ property, which consist of vacant land.
Sale of property				$ 1,600		$ 2,500	$ 11,000
Capital gain on sale of apartments			9,500	1,400		2,200	8,700
Deferred gain, if sale structured as like-kind exchange					1,400		8,700
Distributions to shareholders			1,400
Income taxes on undistributed gains								1,500	400
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation		(720)	(720)
Revenue from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 114