Segment information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) properties	Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2014 USD ($) properties	Jul. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) properties segments	Oct. 31, 2014 USD ($) properties	Oct. 31, 2013 USD ($) properties
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue									$ 44,783	$ 42,430	$ 41,337
Real estate operating expenses									31,020	27,234	25,983
Operating income									13,763	15,196	15,354
Reconciliation to consolidated net income attributable to common equity:
Deferred rents - straight lining					$ (298)				(219)	(93)	(12)
Amortization of acquired leases									(1)	(21)	(24)
Investment income									150	184	191
General and administrative expenses									(2,029)	$ (1,396)	$ (1,623)
Straight line rent adjustment - bankrupt tenant									$ (1,046)
G-Mart lease termination expenses					73					$ (371)
Acquisition expenses-Regency		$ (648)								(648)
Depreciation									$ (6,883)	(6,346)	$ (6,233)
Financing costs									(11,001)	(11,309)	(11,945)
Income from continuing operations	$ 81	1,057	$ 461	$ 1,313	698	$ 717	$ 890	$ 1,118	$ 2,912	3,423	3,600
Income from discontinued operations										7	797
Gain on sale of discontinued operation										8,734	3,545
Net income	81	1,057	461	1,313	698	717	931	9,818	$ 2,912	12,164	7,942
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	(89)	71	(265)	(54)	(162)	(98)	(193)	(281)	(507)	(493)
Net income attributable to common equity	$ 83	$ 968	$ 532	$ 1,048	$ 644	$ 555	$ 833	$ 9,625	$ 2,631	11,657	7,449
Number of reportable segments | segments									2
Gain on sale of discontinued operations										3,500
Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue									$ 45,003	42,843	41,373
Real estate operating expenses									21,062	19,420	18,127
Operating income									23,941	23,423	23,246
Reconciliation to consolidated net income attributable to common equity:
Segment NOI									$ 23,941	$ 23,423	$ 23,246
Commercial [Member]
Reconciliation to consolidated net income attributable to common equity:
Number of properties | properties	10				10				10	10	10
Commercial [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue									$ 23,037	$ 22,424	$ 22,876
Real estate operating expenses									10,436	9,663	9,235
Operating income									12,601	12,761	13,641
Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Recurring capital improvements									$ (424)	$ (549)	$ (681)
Reconciliation to consolidated net income attributable to common equity:
Number of properties | properties	7				6				7	6	6
Residential [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue									$ 21,966	$ 20,419	$ 18,497
Real estate operating expenses									10,626	9,757	8,892
Operating income									$ 11,340	$ 10,662	$ 9,605