Segment information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2019 USD ($) properties	Jul. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018 USD ($) properties	Jul. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2019 USD ($) properties segments	Oct. 31, 2018 USD ($) properties	Oct. 31, 2017 USD ($) properties
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 15,308	$ 15,255	$ 14,786	$ 14,928	$ 14,847	$ 14,631	$ 14,325	$ 14,194	$ 60,277	$ 57,997	$ 51,634
Real estate operating expenses									41,450	38,703	39,651
Operating income									18,827	19,294	11,983
Reconciliation to consolidated net income attributable to common equity:
Segment NOI									33,805	32,509	24,767
Gain on sale of property									836		15,395
Loan prepayment costs relating to property sale											(1,139)
Deferred rents - straight lining									410	605	634
Lease termination fee											(620)
Investment income									360	267	206
Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate cap contract									(160)	72
General and administrative expenses									(4,049)	(2,305)	(2,129)
Depreciation									(11,339)	(11,515)	(10,669)
Financing costs									(18,070)	(18,667)	(15,762)
Net income	263	265	830	435	348	111	1,427	(920)	1,793	966	10,683
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	80	(66)	(44)	24	85	181	(312)	563	(6)	517	2,433
Net income attributable to common equity	$ 343	$ 199	$ 786	$ 459	$ 433	$ 292	$ 1,115	$ (357)	$ 1,787	$ 1,483	$ 13,116
Number of reportable segments | segments									2
Commercial [Member]
Reconciliation to consolidated net income attributable to common equity:
Number of properties | properties	8				9				8	9	9
Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Recurring capital improvements - residential									$ (685)	$ (738)	$ (798)
Reconciliation to consolidated net income attributable to common equity:
Number of properties | properties	8				8				8	8	7
Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue									$ 59,867	$ 57,392	$ 51,000
Real estate operating expenses									26,062	24,883	26,233
Operating income									33,805	32,509	24,767
Reconciliation to consolidated net income attributable to common equity:
Segment NOI									33,805	32,509	24,767
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue									26,692	25,464	24,114
Real estate operating expenses									11,694	11,861	11,791
Operating income									14,998	13,603	12,323
Operating Segments [Member] | Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue									33,175	31,928	26,886
Real estate operating expenses									14,368	13,022	14,442
Operating income									$ 18,807	$ 18,906	$ 12,444