Segment information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017 USD ($) properties	Jul. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017 USD ($) properties segments	Jul. 31, 2016 USD ($) segments
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 12,680	$ 11,590	$ 37,943	$ 34,078
Real estate operating expenses	9,905	7,754	29,582	22,911
Operating income	2,775	3,836	8,361	11,167
Reconciliation to condensed consolidated net income (loss) attributable to common equity:
Segment NOI	5,758	5,857	17,988	17,580
Gain on sale of commercial property	15,395	314	15,395	314
Loan prepayment costs relating to property sale	(1,139)		(1,139)
Lease termination fee			(620)
Deferred rents - straight lining	241	276	552	251
Investment income	54	44	145	106
General and administrative expenses	(515)	(506)	(1,672)	(1,401)
Depreciation	(2,709)	(1,791)	(7,887)	(5,263)
Financing costs	(3,984)	(2,737)	(11,706)	(8,153)
Net income (loss)	13,101	1,457	11,056	3,434
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	653	(211)	2,062	(377)
Net income (loss) attributable to common equity	13,754	1,246	$ 13,118	$ 3,057
Number of reportable segments | segments			2	2
Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	12,439	11,314	$ 37,391	$ 33,827
Real estate operating expenses	6,681	5,457	19,403	16,247
Operating income	5,758	5,857	17,988	17,580
Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Recurring capital improvements	$ (251)	(170)	$ (630)	(659)
Reconciliation to condensed consolidated net income (loss) attributable to common equity:
Number of properties | properties	7		7
Residential [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 6,745	5,780	$ 19,627	16,875
Real estate operating expenses	3,762	2,703	10,649	8,029
Operating income	$ 2,983	3,077	$ 8,978	8,846
Commercial [Member]
Reconciliation to condensed consolidated net income (loss) attributable to common equity:
Number of properties | properties	9		9
Commercial [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 5,694	5,534	$ 17,764	16,952
Real estate operating expenses	2,919	2,754	8,754	8,218
Operating income	$ 2,775	$ 2,780	$ 9,010	$ 8,734