Discontinued operations (Details) - USD ($)					1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 20, 2013	Aug. 13, 2013	Apr. 26, 2013	Aug. 29, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Capital gain on sale of apartments							$ 3,500,000
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation								$ 720,000	[1]
Revenue from discontinued operations						$ 0	$ 1,000	317,000
South Brunswick property [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale of property	$ 11,000,000
Capital gain on sale of apartments	8,700,000
Deferred gain on sale	8,700,000
Net proceeds on sale of business	$ 9,800,000
Palisades Manor Apartments [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale of property			$ 1,600,000
Capital gain on sale of apartments			$ 1,400,000
Grandview Apartments [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale of property		$ 2,500,000
Capital gain on sale of apartments		$ 2,200,000
Heights Manor Apartments [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Capital gain on sale of apartments				$ 9,500,000
Distributions to shareholders				5,000,000	$ 1,400,000
Undistributed gain				$ 4,500,000
Income tax adjustment on gain on sale of discontinued operation								720,000
Heights Manor Apartments [Member] | Federal [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax on sale of discontinued operations										$ 1,500,000
Heights Manor Apartments [Member] | State [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Tax on sale of discontinued operations								$ 400,000		$ 400,000

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