Represents the increase in aggregate indebtedness of the subsidiaries and joint ventures.

No definition available.

Name:	nen_AggregateIncreaseInIndebtednessOfSubsidiariesAndJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	nen_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the ratio of consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to interest expense, which is necessary to be maintained under the terms of the senior credit facilities' covenants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nen_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedInterestCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	nen_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated adjusted earnings before, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization allowed under the terms of the senior credit facilities' covenants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nen_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedLeverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	nen_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate which is used in calculation of base rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nen_Nen_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateUsedForCalculationOfBaseRate
Namespace Prefix:	nen_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage of pledged interests of the Partnership's ownership interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nen_Nen_PledgedInterestsRatePercentageOfPartnershipOwnershipInterest
Namespace Prefix:	nen_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the ratio of net operating income to total indebtedness.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nen_NetOperatingIncomeToTotalIndebtednessRatio
Namespace Prefix:	nen_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the level of tangible net worth required to maintain.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nen_TangibleNetWorth
Namespace Prefix:	nen_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the fee that accompanies borrowing money under the debt instrument.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFeeAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28555-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (210.5-03(11))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116634182&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.9)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116637391&loc=SL114874048-224260

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the fee for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow for the settlement of obligation drawn from a contractual arrangement with the lender, including letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a specific amount at any point in time with maturities due beyond one year or the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=nen_CaptainParkersLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=nen_WoodlandParkApartmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=nen_HamiltonHighlandsLlcResidentialNeedhamMassachusettsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=nen_CaptainParkersLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_PrimeRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=nen_Nen_FederalFundsRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE (Line of Credit) (Details)				12 Months Ended
MORTGAGE NOTES PAYABLE (Line of Credit) (Details)	Dec. 20, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2017 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 07, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 19, 2019 USD ($)	May 31, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2018 USD ($)	Jul. 16, 2017 USD ($)	Jul. 06, 2017 USD ($)
Line of Credit
Interest expense				$ 12,201,966	$ 12,389,680	$ 11,114,146
Credit line balance					$ 18,000,000
Subsequent event
Line of Credit
Loan amount							$ 6,175,000
Residences at Captain Parkers LLC Residential Apartments Lexington, Massachusetts
Line of Credit
Loan amount									$ 20,750,000
Woodland Park Apartments LLC Newton Massachusetts
Line of Credit
Term of debt		30 years
Loan amount		$ 22,250,000									$ 16,000,000	$ 16,000,000
Interest expense				182,000
Credit line balance												$ 25,000,000
Hamilton Highlands LLC Residential Needham Massachusetts [Member]
Line of Credit
Loan amount										$ 21,500,000
Credit line balance										$ 8,000,000
Residences at Captain Parkers LLC Residential Apartments Lexington, Massachusetts
Line of Credit
Loan amount									$ 20,750,000
Line of Credit
Line of Credit
Term of debt			3 years
Loan amount			$ 25,000,000					$ 20,000,000
Payment on line of credit	$ 2,000,000
Margin over basis of interest rate (as a percent)			2.50%
Amount of refinancing costs			$ 128,000
Credit line balance				$ 18,000,000
Number of properties in which borrowing amount collateralized \| item				23
Commitment fee				$ 48,000
Line of Credit \| Prime Rate [Member]
Line of Credit
Basis of effective interest rate used in calculation of Base Rate (as a percent)			1.00%
Line of Credit \| Federal Funds Rate
Line of Credit
Basis of effective interest rate used in calculation of Base Rate (as a percent)			0.50%
Line of Credit \| Minimum
Line of Credit
Pledged interests of the Partnership's ownership interest (as a percent)				49.00%
Commitment fee for unused amount (as a percent)				0.15%
Tangible net worth				$ 150,000,000
Ratio of net operating income to total indebtedness				9.50%
Debt service coverage ratio				1.6
Line of Credit \| Maximum
Line of Credit
Pledged interests of the Partnership's ownership interest (as a percent)				100.00%
Commitment fee for unused amount (as a percent)				0.20%
Leverage ratio				65.00%
Aggregate increase in indebtedness				$ 15,000,000