Outcomes for November 2018

Residential summary process: Outcomes Report This report examines cases filed at least one year before reading, for which outcomes were largely known. Search Period Start: 2018-11-01 Search Period End: 2018-11-30 Earliest Case: 2018-11-01 Latest Case: 2018-11-30 Total Cases: 3171 Total Transfers: 89 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 34.1% Of those, percentage pro se: 54.3% Most common cause: Non-payment Least stable municipality/neighborhood: Lenox Dale Least stable with 10+ filings: Greenfield Least stable with 100+ filings: Springfield Least stable county: Berkshire Cases per day: 109 Housing crisis baseline max cases per day (UCL): 130 Housing crisis baseline min cases per day (LCL): 44 The number of filings this period is not statistically different from the pre-pandemic housing crisis baseline. -- Courts (n) Count Percent northeast 504 15.9% western 490 15.5% central 479 15.1% eastern 430 13.6% southeast 414 13.1% metro south 206 6.5% quincy district 79 2.5% pittsfield district 48 1.5% chelsea district 46 1.5% malden district 41 1.3% cambridge district 29 0.9% lynn district 27 0.9% dedham district 22 0.7% somerville district 22 0.7% barnstable district 19 0.6% brockton district 19 0.6% springfield district 18 0.6% lowell district 17 0.5% waltham district 15 0.5% wrentham district 15 0.5% framingham district 14 0.4% haverhill district 14 0.4% bmc west roxbury 13 0.4% attleboro district 12 0.4% plymouth district 10 0.3% woburn district 10 0.3% bmc dorchester 9 0.3% northern berkshire district 9 0.3% bmc east boston 8 0.3% bmc south boston 8 0.3% fall river district 8 0.3% orleans district 8 0.3% palmer district 8 0.3% salem district 8 0.3% stoughton district 8 0.3% westfield district 8 0.3% newton district 7 0.2% eastern hampshire district 5 0.2% ayer district 4 0.1% bmc roxbury 4 0.1% edgartown district 4 0.1% holyoke district 4 0.1% lawrence district 4 0.1% milford district 4 0.1% new bedford district 4 0.1% taunton district 4 0.1% brookline district 3 0.1% hingham district 3 0.1% peabody district 3 0.1% bmc brighton 2 0.1% chicopee district 2 0.1% fallmouth district 2 0.1% nantucket district 2 0.1% northampton district 2 0.1% orange district 2 0.1% southern berkshire district 2 0.1% bmc central 1 0.0% concord district 1 0.0% greenfield district 1 0.0% ipswich district 1 0.0% natick district 1 0.0% newburyport district 1 0.0% wareham district 1 0.0% westborough district 1 0.0% worcester district 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 2089 7 Natural Person 1082 3164 Total 3171 3171 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 65.9% 0.2% Natural Person 34.1% 99.8% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 2017 72 2089 Optional 494 588 1082 Total 2511 660 3171 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 63.6% 2.3% 65.9% Optional 15.6% 18.5% 34.1% Total 79.2% 20.8% 100.0% Defendant Representation Note: Limited Assistance Representation should be reflected here. Tenancy preservation or other social services may not be reflected. (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 2 5 7 Optional 187 2977 3164 Total 189 2982 3171 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% Optional 5.9% 93.9% 99.8% Total 6.0% 94.0% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 183 5.8% 1 2090 65.9% 2 704 22.2% 3 128 4.0% 4 48 1.5% 5 14 0.4% 6 2 0.1% 7 1 0.0% 9 1 0.0% Total 3171 100.0% Note: Households may appear with zero adults due to clerical delay entering known defendants, identity protection obscuring known defendants (e.g., 42 USC Sections 13701 through 1404 Violence Against Women Act), or no adult defendants (e.g., abandonment of minors). Initiating Action Count Percent Non-payment 1895 59.8% Cause 938 29.6% No Fault 221 7.0% Foreclosure 115 3.6% Unknown/Other 2 0.1% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Lenox Dale 214 1 Greenfield 194 34 Pittsfield 167 75 Baldwinville 158 3 Indian Orchard 148 15 Springfield 148 227 Three Rivers 136 4 Orange 127 10 New Bedford 126 120 Fall River 122 109 North Adams 116 16 Worcester 109 199 Brockton 108 102 Southbridge 107 18 Bondsville 106 2 Hyannis 106 15 Florence 105 1 Pocasset 103 3 Dorchester 102 94 New Braintree 100 1 Lynn 97 88 Winchendon 97 10 Holyoke 95 38 Hyde Park 92 31 Lowell 92 99 West Wareham 92 2 Cotuit 91 3 Fitchburg 91 37 Huntington 91 2 Chicopee 90 50 Lawrence 89 68 North Oxford 88 2 South Easton 88 9 Revere 86 45 Chelsea 85 30 Roxbury 82 49 Chesterfield 81 1 Haverhill 80 49 Millers Falls 77 1 West Stockbridge 76 1 West Yarmouth 75 4 Framingham 74 51 Gardner 74 15 Randolph 74 24 Turners Falls 73 3 Whitinsville 72 5 Ware 70 7 Hull 68 7 North Brookfield 64 3 Taunton 64 36 Dennis Port 63 2 Mattapan 63 23 Rockland 62 11 Salem 62 26 Plainville 60 5 Charlestown 59 10 Foxborough 59 10 Webster 59 10 West Springfield 59 17 Everett 57 24 Malden 57 34 Milford 57 16 Dedham 56 14 Easthampton 56 9 Middleborough 56 13 Pembroke 56 10 South Boston 56 19 Erving 55 1 Middleton 55 5 Roslindale 55 16 Whitman 55 8 Belchertown 54 8 Marlborough 54 21 Peabody 54 28 Sunderland 54 2 Bedford 52 7 Danvers 52 14 Vineyard Haven 52 1 Leominster 51 21 South Hadley 51 9 Stockbridge 51 1 Abington 50 8 Dorchester Center 50 46 Gloucester 48 14 Stoughton 48 13 Westfield 48 20 Waltham 47 29 Beverly 45 18 East Brookfield 45 1 North Attleborough 45 13 Quincy 45 42 West Dennis 45 1 Oak Bluffs 44 2 Swampscott 43 6 Methuen 42 20 Holland 40 1 Weymouth 40 22 East Weymouth 39 21 Lenox 39 2 West Boylston 39 3 Attleborough 38 17 Millis 38 3 Warren 38 2 Bridgewater 37 10 Ipswich 37 5 Jamaica Plain 37 14 Lakeville 37 4 Raynham 37 5 Uxbridge 37 5 Georgetown 36 3 Cambridge 35 37 Tyngsborough 35 4 Athol 34 4 Carver 34 4 Pepperell 34 4 Spencer 34 4 Blackstone 33 3 Braintree 33 12 Littleton 33 3 Shrewsbury 33 12 Ashburnham 32 2 Auburndale 32 3 Canton 32 7 East Boston 32 13 Norton 31 6 Charlton 30 4 Mansfield 30 7 Buzzards Bay 29 1 Dalton 29 2 Hanson 29 3 Oxford 29 4 Seekonk 29 4 Somerville 29 22 Hanover 28 4 Ludlow 28 6 North Billerica 28 3 West Bridgewater 28 2 Woburn 28 11 Brighton 27 12 Brimfield 27 1 South Dennis 27 1 West Brookfield 27 1 Melrose 25 7 Newton Center 25 1 Swansea 25 4 Amesbury 24 4 Auburn 24 4 Edgartown 24 1 North Andover 24 7 Norwood 24 7 Salisbury 24 2 Tewksbury 24 7 Walpole 24 6 Allston 23 7 Douglas 23 2 Dracut 23 7 Kingston 23 3 Centerville 22 3 Clinton 22 3 East Wareham 22 5 Forestdale 22 1 Milton 22 6 Sutton 22 2 West Roxbury 22 7 Wilmington 22 5 Winthrop 22 4 Mashpee 21 3 North Dartmouth 21 5 Westborough 21 4 Brewster 20 2 Burlington 20 5 Chelmsford 20 7 Hudson 20 4 Marstons Mills 20 1 Westwood 20 3 Nantucket 19 2 Newtonville 19 1 Plymouth 19 11 Rochester 19 1 Westport 19 3 Fairhaven 18 3 Holbrook 18 2 Saugus 18 5 Wareham 18 4 Agawam 17 5 Dover 17 1 E. Boston 17 7 East Falmouth 17 1 Feeding Hills 17 2 Mendon 17 1 Northampton 17 5 South Yarmouth 17 2 Southampton 17 1 Harwich 16 2 Medford 16 9 Palmer 16 2 Reading 16 4 Somerset 16 3 Andover 15 5 Berkley 15 1 Groveland 15 1 Harvard 15 1 Millbury 15 2 Roxbury Crossing 15 9 Northborough 14 2 Rockport 14 1 Wilbraham 14 2 Ayer 13 1 Hingham 13 3 Hopkinton 13 2 Shirley 13 1 Upton 13 1 Westminster 13 1 Bellingham 12 2 East Longmeadow 12 2 Longmeadow 12 2 Sterling 12 1 Templeton 12 1 Watertown 12 4 Adams 11 1 Townsend 11 1 Amherst 10 4 Needham 10 3 Southborough 10 1 Southwick 10 1 Sturbridge 10 1 Wellesley 10 3 Acton 9 2 Cherry Valley 9 1 Leicester 9 1 Lunenburg 9 1 Onset 9 2 Boston 8 51 Brookline 8 5 Dudley 8 1 Rehoboth 8 1 Arlington 7 3 Billerica 7 3 East Bridgewater 7 1 Marshfield 7 2 Medway 7 1 North Easton 7 1 West Newton 7 1 Ashland 6 1 Franklin 6 2 Lexington 6 2 Natick 6 2 Bourne 5 1 Grafton 5 1 Marblehead 5 1 Newburyport 5 1 South Weymouth 5 3 Belmont 4 1 Stoneham 4 1 Wakefield 4 1 Westford 4 1 East Walpole 3 1 Needham Heights 3 1 Newton Highlands 3 3 Wellesley Hills 3 1 Barnstable 2 1 Newton Lower Falls 1 1 North Weymouth 1 1 (not given) 0 13 Ashford 0 1 Chesnut Hill 0 1 Westport Point 0 1 span 0 5 Rate per 100,000 residents based on 2010 census. Municipalities do not appear if no evictions filed. Where neighborhoods are commonly recognized as municipalities, data appears under the neighborhood rather than the legal entity (e.g., "Roxbury" is separate from "Boston".) Where municipalities have alternate spellings (e.g., Marlboro for Marlborough), totals appear under the long form. Efforts are made to correct clerical errors in the court database, but clerical errors may appear. Rate per 100,000 County Renter Households Count Berkshire 613 99 Hampden 558 397 Plymouth 509 220 Franklin 483 51 Bristol 421 347 Worcester 374 417 Essex 337 371 Norfolk 259 221 Hampshire 255 47 Suffolk 246 487 Barnstable 243 47 Middlesex 188 440 Dukes 97 4 Nantucket 56 2 Rate per 100,000 renter households based on 2019 ACS. Counties appear even if no evictions filed. OUTCOMES Concluded cases are 'disposed'. Not all cases were disposed at time of reading. Cases are read approximately 18 months after filing. Court Record Reads This Report Reads Stipulation of Dismissal Dismissed Voluntary Dismissal Dismissed Dismissal Dismissed Agreement for Judgment Mediated Agreement Mediated Judgment by Default Defaulted Findings Heard Order Heard Disposed Heard (unrecognized) Other Dismissals: Stipulations of dismissal are not legally the same as voluntary dismissals, but both are treated here as scenarios in which either money has been paid or cause cured. Mediation: Agreements are not legally the same as agreements for judgment, but both are treated here as mediations in which a tenancy may be preserved; judgment or execution may enter thereafter, looked at separately. Tenancy preservation program is generally not visible, may influence either mediation or dismissal. Some disposed cases may have a judgment entered. Judgments may be for money only, money and possession, or possession only. Some judgments for possession may result in an execution. Dispositions Count Percentage Disposed 2815 88.8% Ongoing/Error 356 11.2% Cases not yet disposed were either ongoing at time of reading or left open due to clerical error only. Note that agreements for judgment may not all be filed properly, and that mediations may be undercounted. By outcome, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Mediated 1480 52.6% Dismissed 610 21.7% Defaulted 604 21.5% Heard 112 4.0% Other 9 0.3% Total 2815 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 115 134 264 72 9 Foreclosure 22 32 55 5 0 No Fault 30 33 147 9 0 Non-payment 443 405 1014 25 0 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 1 0 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 4.1% 4.8% 9.4% 2.6% 0.3% Foreclosure 0.8% 1.1% 2.0% 0.2% 0.0% No Fault 1.1% 1.2% 5.2% 0.3% 0.0% Non-payment 15.7% 14.4% 36.0% 0.9% 0.0% Unknown/Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Judgments The financial obligation of one party to another, net of counterclaims. Judgments recorded for the plaintiff may be lower than total eviction costs (e.g., moving and storage often not included). Judgments may not be ordered paid if the debtor receives any form of public assistance. Otherwise, judgments are enforceable any time in the 20 years after issuance. Judgments of small amounts typically reflect court filing fees rather than rent arrears. Mediated agreements for judgment are judgments; otherwise mediated agreements are not recorded. Amounts in excess of 100% of cases disposed indicate a judgment was inferred from the docket history but no dollar amount was entered and the case was not yet disposed. Count Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Judgment entered 1465 52.0% 46.2% Judgment inferred 588 20.9% 18.5% No judgment 762 27.1% 24.0% Total 2815 100.0% 64.7% Judgments by reason, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 323 11.5% 0 54,970 2,739 4,777 884,944 Foreclosure 53 1.9% 0 62,540 4,103 12,314 217,473 No fault 91 3.2% 0 10,030 1,328 1,625 120,871 Non-payment 998 35.5% 0 40,146 3,359 3,387 3,352,767 Subtotal 1465 52.0% 0 62,540 3,123 4,336 4,576,056 Judgments by outcome, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 83 2.9% 0 30,600 2,990 5,388 248,204 Defaulted 567 20.1% 0 40,146 2,904 3,567 1,646,980 Mediated 763 27.1% 0 62,540 3,206 4,640 2,446,894 Heard 43 1.5% 0 16,390 4,147 4,082 178,348 Other 9 0.3% 1,000 28,966 6,180 8,238 55,628 Subtotal 1465 52.0% 0 62,540 3,123 4,336 4,576,056 By prevailing party, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed defendant 5 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% plaintiff 1529 74.5% 54.3% 48.2% unknown 519 25.3% 18.4% 16.4% Total 2053 100.0% 72.9% 64.7% Judgments All Cases: Count: 1465 Range: 0.000 - 62540.830; Mean: 3123.588; Median: 1945.900; Stddev: 4337.945 Percentiles: 90th: 6735.390; 95th: 9168.040; 99th: 19381.720 0.000 - 22.859: 1 | 22.859 - 136.192: 6 # 136.192 - 327.974: 198 ######################## 327.974 - 787.854: 122 ############### 787.854 - 1890.610: 356 ########################################### 1890.610 - 4534.930: 437 ##################################################### 4534.930 - 10875.799: 257 ############################### 10875.799 - 26080.696: 44 ##### 26080.696 - 62540.830: 9 # Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 323 Range: 0.000 - 54970.380; Mean: 2739.766; Median: 1503.240; Stddev: 4785.057 Percentiles: 90th: 6213.410; 95th: 8346.910; 99th: 25108.830 0.000 - 168.653: 9 ####### 168.653 - 321.488: 69 #################################################### 321.488 - 612.009: 11 ######## 612.009 - 1164.251: 28 ##################### 1164.251 - 2213.993: 71 ##################################################### 2213.993 - 4209.419: 44 ################################# 4209.419 - 8002.466: 49 ##################################### 8002.466 - 15212.564: 13 ########## 15212.564 - 28918.035: 4 ### 28918.035 - 54970.380: 2 # Foreclosure: Count: 53 Range: 0.000 - 62540.830; Mean: 4103.279; Median: 205.880; Stddev: 12432.699 Percentiles: 90th: 8051.010; 95th: 35004.910; 99th: 62540.830 0.000 - 292.365: 39 ##################################################### 292.365 - 531.303: 4 ##### 531.303 - 3178.900: 1 # 3178.900 - 10468.268: 1 # 10468.268 - 34467.244: 2 ### 34467.244 - 62540.830: 3 #### No Fault: Count: 91 Range: 0.000 - 10030.760; Mean: 1328.257; Median: 641.450; Stddev: 1634.745 Percentiles: 90th: 3300.000; 95th: 4194.440; 99th: 10030.760 0.000 - 214.991: 26 ##################################################### 214.991 - 329.865: 6 ############ 329.865 - 505.835: 2 #### 505.835 - 775.394: 7 ############## 775.394 - 1188.318: 10 #################### 1188.318 - 1820.855: 13 ########################### 1820.855 - 2789.807: 7 ############## 2789.807 - 4274.093: 12 ######################## 4274.093 - 6547.794: 2 #### 6547.794 - 10030.760: 1 ## Non-payment: Count: 998 Range: 0.000 - 40146.170; Mean: 3359.486; Median: 2394.715; Stddev: 3389.003 Percentiles: 90th: 7143.500; 95th: 9686.470; 99th: 16223.220 0.000 - 21.825: 1 | 21.825 - 119.108: 3 | 119.108 - 274.522: 45 ####### 274.522 - 631.032: 58 ######### 631.032 - 1448.847: 198 ################################ 1448.847 - 3324.871: 324 ##################################################### 3324.871 - 7628.368: 278 ############################################# 7628.368 - 17500.358: 80 ############# 17500.358 - 40146.170: 7 # Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 83 Range: 0.000 - 30600.890; Mean: 2990.416; Median: 1170.280; Stddev: 5421.394 Percentiles: 90th: 5043.010; 95th: 9760.070; 99th: 30600.890 0.000 - 300.777: 15 ############################################ 300.777 - 503.175: 6 ################## 503.175 - 841.321: 6 ################## 841.321 - 1406.256: 15 ############################################ 1406.256 - 2350.089: 8 ######################## 2350.089 - 3926.941: 18 ##################################################### 3926.941 - 6561.370: 8 ######################## 6561.370 - 10962.686: 3 ######### 10962.686 - 30600.890: 3 ######### Defaulted: Count: 567 Range: 0.000 - 40146.170; Mean: 2904.728; Median: 1789.800; Stddev: 3570.816 Percentiles: 90th: 6379.240; 95th: 9137.040; 99th: 17570.730 0.000 - 247.121: 93 ########################################## 247.121 - 435.623: 17 ######## 435.623 - 767.334: 34 ################ 767.334 - 1351.052: 69 ################################ 1351.052 - 2378.233: 116 ##################################################### 2378.233 - 4185.784: 103 ############################################### 4185.784 - 7366.569: 85 ####################################### 7366.569 - 12963.858: 32 ############### 12963.858 - 22813.521: 10 ##### 22813.521 - 40146.170: 1 | Mediated: Count: 763 Range: 0.000 - 62540.830; Mean: 3206.939; Median: 2104.130; Stddev: 4643.664 Percentiles: 90th: 6910.000; 95th: 8960.930; 99th: 16433.360 0.000 - 22.859: 1 | 22.859 - 136.192: 6 # 136.192 - 327.974: 77 ################# 327.974 - 787.854: 61 ############# 787.854 - 1890.610: 186 ######################################## 1890.610 - 4534.930: 245 ##################################################### 4534.930 - 10875.799: 138 ############################## 10875.799 - 26080.696: 21 ##### 26080.696 - 62540.830: 4 # Heard: Count: 43 Range: 0.000 - 16390.850; Mean: 4147.633; Median: 2770.770; Stddev: 4131.031 Percentiles: 90th: 8910.130; 95th: 13832.860; 99th: 16390.850 0.000 - 306.069: 5 ###################################### 306.069 - 476.714: 1 ######## 476.714 - 742.191: 1 ######## 742.191 - 1797.728: 6 ############################################# 1797.728 - 2797.324: 6 ############################################# 2797.324 - 4352.420: 5 ###################################### 4352.420 - 6771.718: 7 ##################################################### 6771.718 - 10535.479: 6 ############################################# 10535.479 - 16390.850: 3 ####################### Other Outcome: Count: 9 Range: 1000.000 - 28966.900; Mean: 6180.936; Median: 3247.600; Stddev: 8737.989 Percentiles: 90th: 28966.900; 95th: 28966.900; 99th: 28966.900 1000.000 - 1400.465: 1 ################## 1400.465 - 1961.143: 2 ################################### 1961.143 - 2746.128: 1 ################## 2746.128 - 3845.159: 1 ################## 3845.159 - 7538.175: 3 ##################################################### 7538.175 - 28966.900: 1 ################## Executions A levy of execution is a forced (court ordered) move-out, what is commonly meant by "eviction". If an execution is requested but not issued, the court has denied the landlord's request. If an execution is issued but not levied, the renters have left on their own. If an execution is levied, the renters and their belongings were removed per the move-and-store laws. Possession of the housing was returned to the owner. It is not possible to know from court records whether belongings were stored in a licensed and bonded warehouse (renter has not yet obtained new housing) or delivered per the renter's instructions (renter has obtained new housing). The landlord customarily pays for the cost of moving and storage. Executions are considered levied if a return of service appears in the record. Executions for possession only must be returned to the court even if not actually served. Executions for money may be kept (not returned) for attempts to collect. Percentages of judgments in excess of 100% indicate that the judgment for one or more cases was not officially recorded when the record was examined, or was recorded ambiguously. Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Requested 1428 69.6% 50.7% 45.0% Issued 1233 60.1% 43.8% 38.9% Levied 279 13.6% 9.9% 8.8% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 35 12.5% 1.7% 1.2% 1.1% Foreclosure 16 5.7% 0.8% 0.6% 0.5% No Fault 15 5.4% 0.7% 0.5% 0.5% Non-payment 213 76.3% 10.4% 7.6% 6.7% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 279 100.0% 13.6% 9.9% 8.8% Read as X% of cases filed are levied for nonpayment, for example. Levied by outcome: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Dismissed 34 12.2% 1.7% 1.2% 1.1% Defaulted 81 29.0% 3.9% 2.9% 2.6% Mediated 157 56.3% 7.6% 5.6% 5.0% Heard 7 2.5% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Outcomes 279 100.0% 13.6% 9.9% 8.8% Read as X% of cases filed are levied following default, for example. Conditional probabilities: 'Given a case is about X, what are the odds of a forced move-out?' Levies Filings Percentage Chance Foreclosure 16 115 13.9% Non-payment 213 1895 11.2% No Fault 15 221 6.8% Cause 35 938 3.7% Unknown/Other 0 2 0.0% Percentage chance is not intended to be summed across reasons. Conditional probabilities: 'Given a case ends with X, what are the odds of a forced move-out?' Levies Filings Percentage Chance Defaulted 81 604 13.4% Mediated 157 1480 10.6% Heard 7 112 6.2% Dismissed 34 610 5.6% Other 0 9 0.0% Percentage chance is not intended to be summed across outcomes. Causality cannot be inferred from this data (e.g., did mediation prevent a levy? or was mediation avoided because one party assumed a levy was inevitable?). Court Duration for Disposed Cases (days) Nothing leading up to the filing of the summary process case is considered. Nothing following the summary process case is considered. Excludes grace period, notice period, and entry delays. Excludes execution and appeal period, if any. Actual eviction duration will be at least 40 days longer than indicated for a 30 day notice to quit and 10 day appeal period. Zero may indicate either 0 or no data, see histogram below. (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Cause 2 2270 82 181 Non-payment 0 2165 34 141 No Fault 8 428 35 57 Foreclosure 1 833 60 122 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 0 All Reasons 0 2270 45 147 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 6 1936 52 174 Defaulted 8 1991 35 100 Mediated 0 2165 39 112 Heard 2 2270 150 377 Other 10 469 131 181 All Outcomes 0 2270 45 147 All Cases: Count: 2815 Range: 0.000 - 2270.000; Mean: 45.990; Median: 17.000; Stddev: 147.197 Percentiles: 90th: 67.000; 95th: 143.000; 99th: 472.000 0.000 - 3.042: 5 | 3.042 - 7.167: 8 | 7.167 - 15.504: 1111 ################################################### 15.504 - 32.351: 1149 ##################################################### 32.351 - 66.394: 249 ########### 66.394 - 135.189: 142 ####### 135.189 - 274.208: 72 ### 274.208 - 555.134: 52 ## 555.134 - 1122.824: 9 | 1122.824 - 2270.000: 15 # By Reason Cause: Count: 594 Range: 2.000 - 2270.000; Mean: 82.574; Median: 28.000; Stddev: 181.530 Percentiles: 90th: 177.000; 95th: 351.000; 99th: 798.000 2.000 - 4.821: 3 # 4.821 - 10.296: 52 ################# 10.296 - 20.920: 166 ##################################################### 20.920 - 41.536: 150 ################################################ 41.536 - 81.541: 86 ########################### 81.541 - 159.169: 71 ####################### 159.169 - 309.805: 28 ######### 309.805 - 602.112: 30 ########## 602.112 - 1169.328: 4 # 1169.328 - 2270.000: 4 # Non-payment: Count: 1887 Range: 0.000 - 2165.000; Mean: 34.836; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 141.801 Percentiles: 90th: 35.000; 95th: 64.000; 99th: 378.000 0.000 - 4.794: 2 | 4.794 - 10.190: 297 ############### 10.190 - 20.611: 1027 ##################################################### 20.611 - 40.738: 399 ##################### 40.738 - 79.610: 92 ##### 79.610 - 154.684: 29 # 154.684 - 299.675: 15 # 299.675 - 579.699: 9 | 579.699 - 1120.514: 4 | 1120.514 - 2165.000: 10 # No Fault: Count: 219 Range: 8.000 - 428.000; Mean: 35.274; Median: 20.000; Stddev: 57.826 Percentiles: 90th: 50.000; 95th: 140.000; 99th: 349.000 8.000 - 12.245: 28 ###################### 12.245 - 18.493: 67 ##################################################### 18.493 - 27.688: 67 ##################################################### 27.688 - 41.221: 33 ########################## 41.221 - 61.137: 6 ##### 61.137 - 90.447: 2 ## 90.447 - 133.584: 3 ## 133.584 - 197.068: 5 #### 197.068 - 290.498: 4 ### 290.498 - 428.000: 4 ### Foreclosure: Count: 114 Range: 1.000 - 833.000; Mean: 60.781; Median: 21.000; Stddev: 122.559 Percentiles: 90th: 140.000; 95th: 260.000; 99th: 833.000 1.000 - 2.656: 1 # 2.656 - 11.220: 11 ############ 11.220 - 21.340: 47 ##################################################### 21.340 - 39.841: 25 ############################ 39.841 - 73.664: 10 ########### 73.664 - 135.498: 8 ######### 135.498 - 248.539: 6 ####### 248.539 - 455.197: 4 ##### 455.197 - 833.000: 2 ## By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 610 Range: 6.000 - 1936.000; Mean: 52.116; Median: 17.000; Stddev: 174.469 Percentiles: 90th: 78.000; 95th: 148.000; 99th: 715.000 6.000 - 11.283: 164 ######################################### 11.283 - 20.553: 210 ##################################################### 20.553 - 36.819: 113 ############################# 36.819 - 65.361: 49 ############ 65.361 - 115.443: 35 ######### 115.443 - 203.323: 12 ### 203.323 - 357.526: 14 #### 357.526 - 628.105: 6 ## 628.105 - 1102.892: 2 # 1102.892 - 1936.000: 5 # Defaulted: Count: 604 Range: 8.000 - 1991.000; Mean: 35.873; Median: 17.000; Stddev: 100.046 Percentiles: 90th: 57.000; 95th: 111.000; 99th: 370.000 8.000 - 14.444: 212 ########################################### 14.444 - 25.500: 259 ##################################################### 25.500 - 44.473: 58 ############ 44.473 - 77.030: 30 ###### 77.030 - 132.895: 22 ##### 132.895 - 228.758: 9 ## 228.758 - 393.253: 10 ## 393.253 - 675.519: 2 | 675.519 - 1159.873: 1 | 1159.873 - 1991.000: 1 | Mediated: Count: 1480 Range: 0.000 - 2165.000; Mean: 39.159; Median: 17.000; Stddev: 112.988 Percentiles: 90th: 56.000; 95th: 119.000; 99th: 466.000 0.000 - 3.022: 3 | 3.022 - 7.090: 2 | 7.090 - 15.271: 582 ################################################## 15.271 - 31.725: 622 ##################################################### 31.725 - 64.818: 143 ############ 64.818 - 131.375: 60 ##### 131.375 - 265.238: 31 ### 265.238 - 534.467: 24 ## 534.467 - 1075.950: 6 # 1075.950 - 2165.000: 4 | Heard: Count: 112 Range: 2.000 - 2270.000; Mean: 150.562; Median: 41.500; Stddev: 377.364 Percentiles: 90th: 260.000; 95th: 458.000; 99th: 1899.000 2.000 - 4.821: 3 ####### 4.821 - 10.296: 17 ###################################### 10.296 - 20.920: 13 ############################# 20.920 - 41.536: 23 ################################################### 41.536 - 81.541: 24 ##################################################### 81.541 - 159.169: 13 ############################# 159.169 - 309.805: 9 #################### 309.805 - 602.112: 5 ########### 602.112 - 2270.000: 5 ########### Other Outcome: Count: 9 Range: 10.000 - 469.000; Mean: 131.778; Median: 56.000; Stddev: 181.839 Percentiles: 90th: 469.000; 95th: 469.000; 99th: 469.000 10.000 - 15.013: 1 ################## 15.013 - 32.932: 3 ##################################################### 32.932 - 70.903: 2 ################################### 70.903 - 103.668: 1 ################## 103.668 - 469.000: 2 ################################### -- Data Sources (report errors to hello@masslandlords.net): County Data Households Percent Renters Barnstable 96,509 20.0% Berkshire 53,792 30.0% Bristol 220,528 37.3% Dukes 18,146 22.6% Essex 297,898 36.9% Franklin 30,927 34.1% Hampden 179,970 39.5% Hampshire 60,002 30.7% Middlesex 612,366 38.1% Nantucket 11,399 30.8% Norfolk 269,717 31.6% Plymouth 191,041 22.6% Suffolk 309,945 63.7% Worcester 316,162 35.2% County Households: 2019 ACS TableID S1101 County Households and Renters, Dukes and Nantucket: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/dukescountymassachusetts County Households and Renters, Large Counties: https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=S11&g=0400000US25.050000&d=ACS%201-Year%20Estimates%20Subject%20Tables&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1101&hidePreview=true Dukes County Renters: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/dukescountymassachusetts Nantucket County Renters: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/nantucketcountymassachusetts -- Methodology Publicly available records at MassCourts.org are read fully manually at two intervals: 1.) For a filings report, once within approximately one week of filing; 2.) For an outcomes report, once again approximately 12 to 18 months after filing. Cases are searched by 'case type' = 'summary process', party type = 'plaintiff' within date ranges, typically weekly. MassCourts.org displays matches, not cases. X plaintiffs on a single case result in X separate matches. Cases are manually de-duplicated. Where the number of matches exceeds the number displayed (e.g., 'Displaying 100 of 257 total matches.'), date ranges are reduced until all cases may be viewed. If the date range cannot be reduced (i.e., is one day) but matches still exceed the display limit of 100, then two additional passes are taken. First, municipalities are filtered in stages. Second, to capture cases with no municipality entered, the search switches from 'case type' to 'case number', guessing the missing numbers assuming serialized entry. This method results in 'matches' reconciled to case counts. This effort costs more than 1 FTE. Summary spreadsheets are produced by copying exactly what is read. The spreadsheets are processed using proprietary software. Repeated analyses of local spreadsheets does not burden the MassCourts servers. The software is developed using best practices for revision control and regression testing. Limitations: Data are snapshots. As such, we cannot track individual cases over time or produce real-time reports. MassLandlords does not have access to court databases beyond what is published in human readable form at MassCourts.org. As of this report, MassLandlords staff were not considering information available to attorneys (e.g., the contents of notices, discovery, evidence, etc.) but not available to the general public. All data presented here are readily verifiable at MassCourts.org without special permission. Information is not independently verified outside of the court record. For instance, clerical errors in address, omissions of a defendant, etc. are not readily verifiable. As this process matures, reporting algorithms may change. Transfers are counted as new cases. Clerical differences between original case and transfer (e.g., middle initial included then dropped; defendant dropped on transfer; street address spelling changed) as well as the potential for indefinite circular transferring (e.g., foreclosure cases moving between housing, land, and/or superior courts) make it very difficult to programmatically identify continuing matters. Methodology changes: 2022-03: Where docket history shows judgment and/or execution, but case has not been disposed, infer judgment and/or execution. 2022-05: Correct counting error in 'By prevailing party' section where agreement for judgment renders prevailing party unknown. Rows now sum to total. 2023-01: We now report dispositions on the basis of the last disposition found in a docket. Previously we were using a prioritized keyword match, which produced inaccurate results for complex cases. -- When Citing This Work, Please Credit: MassLandlords, Inc. Available online at https://masslandlords.net/policy/eviction-data/.