Schedule of Results of Operations Attributable to the Company from the Joint Ventures in Which it is Invested (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Revenues	$ 654	$ 46
Operating income (loss)	$ 105	$ (53)

Company's proportionate share of Joint Ventures' net income (loss) reported in the consolidated statement of operations as Earnings (Loss) of Equity Accounted Asset Liquidation Investments and attributable to the Company as its share.

No definition available.

Name:	hgbl_EarningsOfEquityAccountedAssetLiquidationInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	hgbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration