Property acquisition (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Jun. 18, 2014	Dec. 29, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net operating income	$ 3,196,000	$ 3,693,000	$ 7,251,000	$ 7,747,000
Gain on sale of discontinued operations (net of tax of $1,965 in fiscal 2012)		41,000		8,734,000
Mortgages [Member] | Provident Bank Mortgage [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Loan amount						16,200,000
South Brunswick property [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Deferred gain utilized in acquisition					9,800,000
Regency Club Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of units acquired					132
Number of buildings acquired					11
Acquisition price					20,625,000
Regency acquisition costs					648,000
Remaining balance in acquisition, after net proceeds from sale					11,500,000
Cash used for acquisition					10,000,000
Acquisition price allocation to buildings					18,500,000
Acquisition price allocation to land					$ 2,100,000
Estimated useful life			40 years