Segment information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020 USD ($) Properties	Apr. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020 USD ($) segments Properties	Jul. 31, 2019 USD ($) segments
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 12,149			$ 15,255			$ 41,430	$ 44,969
Real estate operating expenses	9,308			10,585			33,361	30,716
Operating income	2,841			4,670			8,069	14,253
Reconciliation to condensed consolidated net income (loss) attributable to common equity:
Segment NOI	6,920			8,500			23,836	25,480
Deferred rents - straight lining	(334)			126			(213)	313
Investment income	38			92			174	276
Unrealized loss on interest rate cap contract				(1)				(160)
General and administrative expenses	(1,233)			(718)			(3,061)	(2,109)
Special committee advisory, legal and other expenses	(87)			(432)			(4,606)	(1,018)
Gain on sale of property								836
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiary							27,680
Loss on investment in tenancy-in-common	(78)						(96)
Depreciation	(2,425)			(2,806)			(7,887)	(8,413)
Financing costs	(3,121)			(4,496)			(11,032)	(13,675)
Net income (loss)	(320)	$ 27,136	$ (2,021)	265	$ 830	$ 435	24,795	1,530
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	139			(66)			(18)	(86)
Net income (loss) attributable to common equity	$ (181)			199			$ 24,777	$ 1,444
Number of reportable segments | segments							2	2
Commercial [Member]
Reconciliation to condensed consolidated net income (loss) attributable to common equity:
Number of properties | Properties	8						8
Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Recurring capital improvements	$ (127)			(204)			$ (353)	$ (489)
Reconciliation to condensed consolidated net income (loss) attributable to common equity:
Number of properties | Properties	7						7
Operating Segments [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	$ 12,483			15,129			$ 41,643	44,656
Real estate operating expenses	5,563			6,629			17,807	19,176
Operating income	6,920			8,500			23,836	25,480
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	6,090			6,786			19,638	19,865
Real estate operating expenses	2,914			3,013			8,810	8,664
Operating income	3,176			3,773			10,828	11,201
Operating Segments [Member] | Residential [Member]
Reportable Segments
Real estate rental revenue	6,393			8,343			22,005	24,791
Real estate operating expenses	2,649			3,616			8,997	10,512
Operating income	$ 3,744			$ 4,727			$ 13,008	$ 14,279