Outcomes for October 2023

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: 2023-10-01 Search Period End: 2023-10-31 Earliest Case: 2023-10-02 Latest Case: 2023-10-31 Total Cases: 3266 Total Transfers: 76 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 24.3% Of those, percentage pro se: 48.2% Most common cause: Non-payment Least stable municipality/neighborhood: Florence Least stable with 10+ filings: Florence Least stable with 100+ filings: Springfield Least stable county: Hampden Cases per day: 108 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 eastern 589 18.0% northeast 516 15.8% central 510 15.6% western 497 15.2% southeast 341 10.4% metro_south 320 9.8% malden district 69 2.1% quincy district 47 1.4% bmc west roxbury 37 1.1% lynn district 27 0.8% lowell district 24 0.7% chelsea district 21 0.6% lawrence district 20 0.6% cambridge district 15 0.5% fall river district 15 0.5% somerville district 14 0.4% waltham district 14 0.4% brockton district 13 0.4% fallmouth district 10 0.3% haverhill district 9 0.3% attleboro district 8 0.2% milford district 8 0.2% peabody district 8 0.2% bmc east boston 7 0.2% chicopee district 7 0.2% dedham district 7 0.2% northern berkshire district 7 0.2% pittsfield district 7 0.2% springfield district 7 0.2% woburn district 7 0.2% ayer district 6 0.2% concord district 6 0.2% framingham district 6 0.2% new bedford district 6 0.2% bmc dorchester 5 0.2% westfield district 5 0.2% wrentham district 5 0.2% hingham district 4 0.1% salem district 4 0.1% uxbridge district 4 0.1% edgartown district 3 0.1% stoughton district 3 0.1% bmc brighton 2 0.1% bmc central 2 0.1% bmc roxbury 2 0.1% eastern hampshire district 2 0.1% gloucester district 2 0.1% holyoke district 2 0.1% newburyport district 2 0.1% newton district 2 0.1% plymouth district 2 0.1% worcester district 2 0.1% barnstable district 1 0.0% east brookfield district 1 0.0% natick district 1 0.0% orange district 1 0.0% palmer district 1 0.0% southern berkshire district 1 0.0% taunton district 1 0.0% wareham district 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 2471 6 Natural Person 795 3260 Total 3266 3266 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 75.7% 0.2% Natural Person 24.3% 99.8% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 2459 12 2471 Optional 412 383 795 Total 2871 395 3266 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 75.3% 0.4% 75.7% Optional 12.6% 11.7% 24.3% Total 87.9% 12.1% 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 3 3 6 Optional 182 3078 3260 Total 185 3081 3266 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% Optional 5.6% 94.2% 99.8% Total 5.7% 94.3% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 90 2.8% 1 2357 72.2% 2 669 20.5% 3 113 3.5% 4 27 0.8% 5 7 0.2% 6 1 0.0% 7 2 0.1% Total 3266 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 2351 72.0% Cause 513 15.7% No Fault 367 11.2% Foreclosure 30 0.9% Unknown/Other 5 0.2% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Florence 1371 13 New Ashford 438 1 Charlemont 394 5 Chestnut Hill 188 4 Randolph 180 58 Holyoke 170 68 Plainfield 154 1 Springfield 139 213 Salem 133 55 Roslindale 131 38 Chicopee 130 72 Hyde Park 125 42 Turners Falls 121 5 Chilmark 115 1 Fall River 115 103 Cummington 114 1 Webster 113 19 Dorchester 109 101 Westborough 109 20 Gardner 108 22 Fitchburg 104 42 Framingham 102 70 North Adams 102 14 Three Rivers 102 3 Charlton 100 13 Everett 100 42 Lawrence 99 76 Malden 97 58 Marlborough 96 37 Worcester 95 172 New Bedford 93 89 Lowell 90 96 West Warren 88 1 Buzzards Bay 87 3 East Falmouth 86 5 Gilbertville 86 1 Canton 83 18 Revere 83 43 Southbridge 83 14 South Dennis 81 3 Lynn 80 73 Norwood 76 22 Mattapan 74 27 Brockton 73 69 Charlestown 71 12 Quincy 71 66 West Springfield 70 20 Indian Orchard 69 7 Feeding Hills 68 8 Lee 67 4 Stoughton 66 18 Chelsea 65 23 Dorchester Center 65 60 Foxborough 65 11 Dennis Port 63 2 Greenfield 63 11 Cheshire 61 2 Ware 60 6 Haverhill 59 36 Spencer 59 7 Nahant 58 2 Roxbury 58 35 Cambridge 57 60 Essex 57 2 Hadley 57 3 Hyannis 56 8 Mansfield 56 13 Peabody 56 29 Shelburne Falls 56 1 Erving 55 1 Taunton 55 31 Sunderland 54 2 Wrentham 54 6 North Attleborough 52 15 Vineyard Haven 52 1 Athol 51 6 East Boston 51 21 Orange 51 4 Acton 50 11 Brighton 50 22 Devens 49 1 Plainville 48 4 Adams 47 4 Braintree 47 17 Bernardston 46 1 West Wareham 46 1 Bedford 45 6 Beverly 45 18 Bridgewater 45 12 East Brookfield 45 1 Leominster 44 18 Oak Bluffs 44 2 Raynham 44 6 Tyngsborough 44 5 Allston 41 12 Shirley 41 3 Ayer 40 3 Boxborough 40 2 Hopkinton 40 6 Methuen 40 19 Pittsfield 40 18 Rockland 40 7 Lunenburg 39 4 Abington 37 6 Jamaica Plain 37 14 North Falmouth 37 1 Andover 36 12 Dedham 36 9 South Attleboro 36 3 Waltham 36 22 West Roxbury 36 11 West Tisbury 36 1 Byfield 35 1 North Andover 35 10 Berlin 34 1 Pepperell 34 4 Watertown 34 11 Hardwick 33 1 Somerville 33 25 Dunstable 31 1 East Taunton 31 2 Bellingham 30 5 Marblehead 30 6 Saugus 30 8 Maynard 29 3 South Easton 29 3 Franklin 28 9 Medford 28 16 Sudbury 28 5 Wakefield 28 7 Whitinsville 28 2 Hingham 27 6 Sagamore Beach 27 1 West Brookfield 27 1 Weymouth 27 15 Danvers 26 7 Dudley 26 3 Hudson 26 5 Williamstown 25 2 Agawam 24 7 Edgartown 24 1 Gloucester 24 7 Natick 24 8 Needham Heights 24 7 Ludlow 23 5 Medway 23 3 North Easton 23 3 Woburn 23 9 Avon 22 1 Blackstone 22 2 Clinton 22 3 Melrose 22 6 Millbury 22 3 Milford 21 6 Northborough 21 3 Oxford 21 3 Seekonk 21 3 Sturbridge 21 2 Westfield 21 9 Belchertown 20 3 Chelmsford 20 7 Eastham 20 1 Marion 20 1 Marstons Mills 20 1 Deerfield 19 1 Hampden 19 1 Sandwich 19 4 Attleborough 18 8 East Wareham 18 4 Easthampton 18 3 North Billerica 18 2 West Yarmouth 18 1 Newburyport 17 3 Rowley 17 1 South Boston 17 6 South Yarmouth 17 2 Tewksbury 17 5 Winthrop 17 3 Chatham 16 1 Concord 16 3 Hopedale 16 1 Pembroke 16 3 Shrewsbury 16 6 Wellesley Hills 16 5 Falmouth 15 5 Groveland 15 1 Harvard 15 1 Kingston 15 2 Marshfield 15 4 Norton 15 3 Dalton 14 1 Great Barrington 14 1 Plymouth 14 8 Swampscott 14 2 Uxbridge 14 2 West Bridgewater 14 1 Wilbraham 14 2 Cohasset 13 1 Duxbury 13 2 East Weymouth 13 7 North Reading 13 2 Stoneham 13 3 Upton 13 1 Wareham 13 3 West Boylston 13 1 Westford 13 3 Amesbury 12 2 Ashland 12 2 Auburn 12 2 Boston 12 80 E. Boston 12 5 East Templeton 12 1 Fairhaven 12 2 Middleborough 12 3 Northbridge 12 2 Rutland 12 1 Salisbury 12 1 Swansea 12 2 Walpole 12 3 Douglas 11 1 South Hadley 11 2 Auburndale 10 1 Northampton 10 3 Roxbury Crossing 10 6 Southwick 10 1 Arlington 9 4 Hanson 9 1 Holbrook 9 1 Hull 9 1 Leicester 9 1 Lexington 9 3 Rochdale 9 1 South Weymouth 9 5 Winchendon 9 1 Wollaston 9 1 Belmont 8 2 Burlington 8 2 Carver 8 1 North Dartmouth 8 2 Palmer 8 1 Wilmington 8 2 Amherst 7 3 Billerica 7 3 Bradford 7 1 Ipswich 7 1 Mashpee 7 1 Wayland 7 1 Wellesley 7 2 East Longmeadow 6 1 Needham 6 2 Westport 6 1 Westwood 6 1 Whitman 6 1 Brookline 5 3 Scituate 5 1 Sharon 5 1 Somerset 5 1 South Dartmouth 5 2 Winchester 4 1 Dracut 3 1 Milton 3 1 Newton 3 3 Barnstable 2 1 Dartmouth 2 1 Newton Highlands 2 2 North Weymouth 1 1 (not given) 0 46 span 0 2 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 Hampden 588 418 Norfolk 361 308 Bristol 356 293 Worcester 352 392 Essex 339 373 Plymouth 317 137 Franklin 293 31 Berkshire 291 47 Suffolk 284 561 Middlesex 246 574 Barnstable 207 40 Hampshire 206 38 Dukes 146 6 Nantucket 0 0 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 2834 86.8% Ongoing/Error 432 13.2% 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 1263 44.6% Dismissed 875 30.9% Defaulted 595 21.0% Heard 100 3.5% Other 1 0.0% Total 2834 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 102 88 205 21 0 Foreclosure 5 7 9 1 0 No Fault 78 68 187 13 0 Non-payment 690 430 861 64 1 Unknown/Other 0 2 1 1 0 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 3.6% 3.1% 7.2% 0.7% 0.0% Foreclosure 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% No Fault 2.8% 2.4% 6.6% 0.5% 0.0% Non-payment 24.3% 15.2% 30.4% 2.3% 0.0% Unknown/Other 0.0% 0.1% 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 1392 49.1% 42.6% Judgment inferred 203 7.2% 6.2% No judgment 1239 43.7% 37.9% Total 2834 100.0% 48.8% Judgments by reason, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 184 6.5% 0 45,370 3,627 5,999 667,419 Foreclosure 9 0.3% 0 513 315 138 2,843 No fault 164 5.8% 0 23,181 4,468 4,869 732,830 Non-payment 1033 36.5% 0 62,195 8,416 8,558 8,694,026 Unknown/Other 2 0.1% 264 10,933 5,598 5,334 11,197 Subtotal 1392 49.1% 0 62,195 7,261 8,118 10,108,317 Judgments by outcome, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 102 3.6% 161 56,844 6,075 8,001 619,739 Defaulted 511 18.0% 0 50,384 7,582 7,859 3,874,543 Mediated 732 25.8% 0 62,195 7,063 8,125 5,170,704 Heard 46 1.6% 0 61,835 9,500 10,288 437,004 Other 1 0.0% 6,325 6,325 6,325 0 6,325 Subtotal 1392 49.1% 0 62,195 7,261 8,118 10,108,317 By prevailing party, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed defendant 5 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% plaintiff 1516 95.0% 53.5% 46.4% unknown 74 4.6% 2.6% 2.3% Total 1595 100.0% 56.3% 48.8% Judgments All Cases: Count: 1392 Range: 0.000 - 62195.650; Mean: 7261.723; Median: 4981.120; Stddev: 8121.754 Percentiles: 90th: 17035.320; 95th: 21765.670; 99th: 40192.310 0.000 - 258.223: 61 ########## 258.223 - 475.572: 114 ################### 475.572 - 875.160: 37 ###### 875.160 - 1609.788: 76 ############# 1609.788 - 2960.373: 172 ############################# 2960.373 - 5443.373: 255 ############################################ 5443.373 - 10008.275: 310 ##################################################### 10008.275 - 18400.678: 228 ####################################### 18400.678 - 33829.795: 86 ############### 33829.795 - 62195.650: 25 #### Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 184 Range: 0.000 - 45370.990; Mean: 3627.280; Median: 303.000; Stddev: 6015.967 Percentiles: 90th: 11018.680; 95th: 17035.320; 99th: 25271.800 0.000 - 250.175: 22 ################### 250.175 - 446.438: 60 ##################################################### 446.438 - 796.058: 4 #### 796.058 - 1418.864: 8 ####### 1418.864 - 2528.318: 12 ########### 2528.318 - 4504.680: 15 ############# 4504.680 - 8025.334: 21 ################### 8025.334 - 14296.960: 16 ############## 14296.960 - 25469.118: 11 ########## 25469.118 - 45370.990: 1 # Foreclosure: Count: 9 Range: 0.000 - 513.380; Mean: 315.919; Median: 316.540; Stddev: 146.674 Percentiles: 90th: 513.380; 95th: 513.380; 99th: 513.380 0.000 - 251.446: 1 ########################### 251.446 - 294.706: 2 ##################################################### 294.706 - 319.042: 1 ########################### 319.042 - 345.380: 1 ########################### 345.380 - 438.128: 2 ##################################################### 438.128 - 513.380: 1 ########################### No Fault: Count: 164 Range: 0.000 - 23181.010; Mean: 4468.480; Median: 2818.275; Stddev: 4884.037 Percentiles: 90th: 10929.890; 95th: 14410.750; 99th: 22120.000 0.000 - 233.862: 11 ################ 233.862 - 390.206: 36 ##################################################### 390.206 - 1084.405: 7 ########## 1084.405 - 1806.945: 7 ########## 1806.945 - 3010.468: 20 ############################# 3010.468 - 5015.161: 22 ################################ 5015.161 - 8354.351: 31 ############################################## 8354.351 - 13916.393: 18 ########################### 13916.393 - 23181.010: 10 ############### Non-payment: Count: 1033 Range: 0.000 - 62195.650; Mean: 8416.289; Median: 6000.000; Stddev: 8562.312 Percentiles: 90th: 18327.540; 95th: 23957.420; 99th: 44992.430 0.000 - 268.130: 15 ### 268.130 - 491.728: 24 ##### 491.728 - 901.095: 26 ###### 901.095 - 1650.571: 63 ############## 1650.571 - 3022.724: 139 ############################## 3022.724 - 5534.886: 211 ############################################# 5534.886 - 10134.195: 246 ##################################################### 10134.195 - 18554.688: 199 ########################################### 18554.688 - 33971.071: 75 ################ 33971.071 - 62195.650: 24 ##### Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 102 Range: 161.540 - 56844.050; Mean: 6075.881; Median: 3383.010; Stddev: 8040.563 Percentiles: 90th: 15046.200; 95th: 18721.570; 99th: 33661.390 161.540 - 290.967: 12 ############################## 290.967 - 523.453: 5 ############# 523.453 - 941.063: 7 ################## 941.063 - 1691.206: 6 ############### 1691.206 - 3038.670: 16 ######################################## 3038.670 - 5459.089: 21 ##################################################### 5459.089 - 9806.830: 17 ########################################### 9806.830 - 17616.577: 12 ############################## 17616.577 - 31645.043: 4 ########## 31645.043 - 56844.050: 2 ##### Defaulted: Count: 511 Range: 0.000 - 50384.210; Mean: 7582.278; Median: 5465.780; Stddev: 7867.161 Percentiles: 90th: 17371.190; 95th: 22756.190; 99th: 37564.420 0.000 - 252.821: 16 ####### 252.821 - 455.916: 58 ######################### 455.916 - 821.516: 7 ### 821.516 - 1479.651: 19 ######## 1479.651 - 2664.392: 47 #################### 2664.392 - 4797.102: 75 ################################ 4797.102 - 8636.298: 123 ##################################################### 8636.298 - 15547.421: 89 ###################################### 15547.421 - 27988.470: 55 ######################## 27988.470 - 50384.210: 14 ###### Mediated: Count: 732 Range: 0.000 - 62195.650; Mean: 7063.804; Median: 4656.740; Stddev: 8131.491 Percentiles: 90th: 16963.990; 95th: 21580.980; 99th: 44992.430 0.000 - 258.223: 33 ########### 258.223 - 475.572: 48 ################ 475.572 - 875.160: 20 ####### 875.160 - 1609.788: 48 ################ 1609.788 - 2960.373: 98 ################################ 2960.373 - 5443.373: 138 ############################################# 5443.373 - 10008.275: 161 ##################################################### 10008.275 - 18400.678: 110 #################################### 18400.678 - 33829.795: 44 ############## 33829.795 - 62195.650: 13 #### Heard: Count: 46 Range: 0.000 - 61835.360; Mean: 9500.094; Median: 8720.085; Stddev: 10402.037 Percentiles: 90th: 17221.350; 95th: 18080.000; 99th: 61835.360 0.000 - 389.875: 4 ############## 389.875 - 685.110: 1 #### 685.110 - 1203.343: 1 #### 1203.343 - 2113.006: 2 ####### 2113.006 - 3709.757: 2 ####### 3709.757 - 6512.566: 9 ################################ 6512.566 - 11432.392: 15 ##################################################### 11432.392 - 20068.261: 9 ################################ 20068.261 - 61835.360: 2 ####### 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 1266 79.4% 44.7% 38.8% Issued 959 60.1% 33.8% 29.4% Levied 225 14.1% 7.9% 6.9% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 29 12.9% 1.8% 1.0% 0.9% Foreclosure 8 3.6% 0.5% 0.3% 0.2% No Fault 42 18.7% 2.6% 1.5% 1.3% Non-payment 146 64.9% 9.2% 5.2% 4.5% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 225 100.0% 14.1% 7.9% 6.9% 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 19 8.4% 1.2% 0.7% 0.6% Defaulted 96 42.7% 6.0% 3.4% 2.9% Mediated 106 47.1% 6.6% 3.7% 3.2% Heard 4 1.8% 0.3% 0.1% 0.1% Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Outcomes 225 100.0% 14.1% 7.9% 6.9% 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 8 30 26.7% No Fault 42 367 11.4% Non-payment 146 2351 6.2% Cause 29 513 5.7% Unknown/Other 0 5 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 96 595 16.1% Mediated 106 1263 8.4% Heard 4 100 4.0% Dismissed 19 875 2.2% Other 0 1 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 2 569 100 101 Non-payment 0 591 91 92 No Fault 2 567 89 80 Foreclosure 17 570 150 147 Unknown/Other 46 512 188 219 All Reasons 0 591 93 93 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 0 567 81 90 Defaulted 10 569 88 78 Mediated 3 582 100 96 Heard 21 591 131 128 Other 0 0 0 0 All Outcomes 0 591 93 93 All Cases: Count: 2834 Range: 0.000 - 591.000; Mean: 93.452; Median: 57.000; Stddev: 93.142 Percentiles: 90th: 202.000; 95th: 307.000; 99th: 490.000 0.000 - 2.533: 5 | 2.533 - 5.241: 12 # 5.241 - 10.026: 36 ## 10.026 - 18.478: 68 ### 18.478 - 33.409: 195 ######### 33.409 - 59.786: 1176 ##################################################### 59.786 - 106.383: 616 ############################ 106.383 - 188.698: 411 ################### 188.698 - 334.114: 204 ######### 334.114 - 591.000: 110 ##### By Reason Cause: Count: 416 Range: 2.000 - 569.000; Mean: 100.442; Median: 59.500; Stddev: 101.663 Percentiles: 90th: 235.000; 95th: 347.000; 99th: 506.000 2.000 - 4.070: 3 # 4.070 - 7.568: 1 | 7.568 - 13.479: 4 ## 13.479 - 23.469: 10 #### 23.469 - 40.352: 77 ############################## 40.352 - 68.883: 134 ##################################################### 68.883 - 117.100: 88 ################################### 117.100 - 198.583: 47 ################### 198.583 - 336.287: 30 ############ 336.287 - 569.000: 22 ######### Non-payment: Count: 2046 Range: 0.000 - 591.000; Mean: 91.961; Median: 56.000; Stddev: 92.026 Percentiles: 90th: 195.000; 95th: 301.000; 99th: 488.000 0.000 - 2.533: 3 | 2.533 - 5.241: 10 # 5.241 - 10.026: 29 ## 10.026 - 18.478: 56 ### 18.478 - 33.409: 151 ######### 33.409 - 59.786: 849 ##################################################### 59.786 - 106.383: 427 ########################### 106.383 - 188.698: 303 ################### 188.698 - 334.114: 141 ######### 334.114 - 591.000: 76 ##### No Fault: Count: 346 Range: 2.000 - 567.000; Mean: 89.165; Median: 59.000; Stddev: 80.463 Percentiles: 90th: 195.000; 95th: 245.000; 99th: 407.000 2.000 - 4.068: 1 | 4.068 - 7.562: 2 # 7.562 - 13.464: 2 # 13.464 - 23.435: 12 ##### 23.435 - 40.280: 73 ################################# 40.280 - 68.736: 119 ##################################################### 68.736 - 116.809: 61 ########################### 116.809 - 198.023: 45 #################### 198.023 - 335.222: 24 ########### 335.222 - 567.000: 7 ### Foreclosure: Count: 22 Range: 17.000 - 570.000; Mean: 150.136; Median: 114.000; Stddev: 147.014 Percentiles: 90th: 354.000; 95th: 461.000; 99th: 570.000 17.000 - 24.434: 2 ##################### 24.434 - 34.937: 1 ########### 34.937 - 49.779: 2 ##################### 49.779 - 70.749: 4 ########################################## 70.749 - 100.380: 1 ########### 100.380 - 142.249: 5 ##################################################### 142.249 - 201.408: 3 ################################ 201.408 - 403.110: 2 ##################### 403.110 - 570.000: 2 ##################### Unknown/Other reason: Count: 4 Range: 46.000 - 512.000; Mean: 188.000; Median: 97.000; Stddev: 219.423 Percentiles: 90th: 512.000; 95th: 512.000; 99th: 512.000 46.000 - 58.690: 1 ##################################################### 58.690 - 74.806: 1 ##################################################### 74.806 - 154.277: 1 ##################################################### 154.277 - 512.000: 1 ##################################################### By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 875 Range: 0.000 - 567.000; Mean: 81.563; Median: 50.000; Stddev: 90.317 Percentiles: 90th: 185.000; 95th: 284.000; 99th: 471.000 0.000 - 2.519: 5 # 2.519 - 5.190: 10 ## 5.190 - 9.890: 17 ### 9.890 - 18.158: 72 ############ 18.158 - 32.705: 101 ################# 32.705 - 58.295: 323 ##################################################### 58.295 - 103.316: 158 ########################## 103.316 - 182.521: 98 ################ 182.521 - 321.862: 56 ######### 321.862 - 567.000: 34 ###### Defaulted: Count: 595 Range: 10.000 - 569.000; Mean: 88.837; Median: 59.000; Stddev: 78.136 Percentiles: 90th: 179.000; 95th: 267.000; 99th: 389.000 10.000 - 15.325: 2 | 15.325 - 23.226: 13 ### 23.226 - 34.953: 16 #### 34.953 - 52.356: 218 ##################################################### 52.356 - 78.183: 137 ################################# 78.183 - 116.512: 88 ##################### 116.512 - 173.393: 56 ############## 173.393 - 257.808: 32 ######## 257.808 - 383.084: 26 ###### 383.084 - 569.000: 7 ## Mediated: Count: 1263 Range: 3.000 - 582.000; Mean: 100.771; Median: 60.000; Stddev: 96.781 Percentiles: 90th: 217.000; 95th: 319.000; 99th: 507.000 3.000 - 5.583: 2 | 5.583 - 16.830: 7 # 16.830 - 28.343: 48 ####### 28.343 - 47.291: 375 ##################################################### 47.291 - 78.474: 326 ############################################## 78.474 - 129.793: 204 ############################# 129.793 - 214.252: 172 ######################## 214.252 - 353.248: 79 ########### 353.248 - 582.000: 50 ####### Heard: Count: 100 Range: 21.000 - 591.000; Mean: 131.630; Median: 78.500; Stddev: 128.864 Percentiles: 90th: 312.000; 95th: 410.000; 99th: 563.000 21.000 - 29.578: 2 ###### 29.578 - 41.501: 17 ################################################## 41.501 - 58.073: 14 ######################################### 58.073 - 81.107: 18 ##################################################### 81.107 - 113.123: 13 ###################################### 113.123 - 157.622: 12 ################################### 157.622 - 219.471: 7 ##################### 219.471 - 305.437: 6 ################## 305.437 - 424.924: 6 ################## 424.924 - 591.000: 5 ############### -- 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/.