Segment information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016 USD ($) properties	Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2016 USD ($) properties segments	Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($) segments
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 11,590	$ 11,143	$ 34,078	$ 33,675
Real estate operating expenses	7,754	7,306	22,911	22,587
Operating income	3,836	3,837	11,167	11,088
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Segment NOI	5,857	6,107	17,580	17,946
Gain on sale of commercial property	314		314
Deferred rents - straight lining	276	(71)	251	(219)
Amortization of acquired leases				(1)
Investment income	44	37	106	113
General and administrative expenses	(506)	(509)	(1,401)	(1,653)
Depreciation	(1,791)	(1,690)	(5,263)	(4,985)
Financing costs	(2,737)	(2,817)	(8,153)	(8,370)
Net income	1,457	1,057	3,434	2,831
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(211)	(89)	(377)	(283)
Net income attributable to common equity	$ 1,246	968	$ 3,057	$ 2,548
Number of reportable segments | segments			2	2
Commercial [Member]
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Number of properties | properties	9		9
Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Recurring capital improvements	$ (170)	(21)	$ (659)	$ (275)
Reconciliation to consolidated net income:
Number of properties | properties	7		7
Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 11,314	11,214	$ 33,827	33,895
Real estate operating expenses	5,457	5,107	16,247	15,949
Operating income	5,857	6,107	17,580	17,946
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	5,534	5,751	16,952	17,439
Real estate operating expenses	2,754	2,582	8,218	7,997
Operating income	2,780	3,169	8,734	9,442
Operating Segments [Member] | Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	5,780	5,463	16,875	16,456
Real estate operating expenses	2,703	2,525	8,029	7,952
Operating income	$ 3,077	$ 2,938	$ 8,846	$ 8,504