Outcomes for October 2017

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: 2017-10-01 Search Period End: 2017-10-31 Earliest Case: 2017-10-02 Latest Case: 2017-10-31 Total Cases: 3938 Total Transfers: 101 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 37.1% Of those, percentage pro se: 58.7% Most common cause: Non-payment Least stable municipality/neighborhood: Woronoco Least stable with 10+ filings: Holyoke Least stable with 100+ filings: Fall River Least stable county: Hampden Cases per day: 131 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 statistically significantly above the pre-pandemic housing crisis baseline. -- Courts (n) Count Percent southeast 628 15.9% northeast 591 15.0% western 580 14.7% eastern 553 14.0% central 513 13.0% quincy district 150 3.8% malden district 74 1.9% cambridge district 61 1.5% chelsea district 51 1.3% framingham district 50 1.3% dedham district 40 1.0% lynn district 37 0.9% woburn district 36 0.9% barnstable district 32 0.8% somerville district 31 0.8% bmc dorchester 29 0.7% lowell district 28 0.7% pittsfield district 28 0.7% brockton district 26 0.7% waltham district 26 0.7% haverhill district 24 0.6% fall river district 23 0.6% wrentham district 23 0.6% stoughton district 22 0.6% springfield district 19 0.5% northern berkshire district 18 0.5% orleans district 17 0.4% fallmouth district 16 0.4% holyoke district 16 0.4% bmc east boston 15 0.4% salem district 14 0.4% attleboro district 13 0.3% palmer district 12 0.3% concord district 11 0.3% new bedford district 11 0.3% plymouth district 10 0.3% ayer district 8 0.2% bmc west roxbury 8 0.2% peabody district 8 0.2% taunton district 8 0.2% brookline district 7 0.2% milford district 7 0.2% chicopee district 6 0.2% lawrence district 6 0.2% bmc roxbury 5 0.1% hingham district 5 0.1% natick district 5 0.1% westfield district 5 0.1% eastern hampshire district 4 0.1% newburyport district 4 0.1% clinton district 3 0.1% edgartown district 3 0.1% greenfield district 3 0.1% nantucket district 3 0.1% wareham district 3 0.1% newton district 2 0.1% northampton district 2 0.1% orange district 2 0.1% bmc central 1 0.0% bmc south boston 1 0.0% southern berkshire district 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 2478 5 Natural Person 1460 3933 Total 3938 3938 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 62.9% 0.1% Natural Person 37.1% 99.9% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 2219 259 2478 Optional 603 857 1460 Total 2822 1116 3938 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 56.3% 6.6% 62.9% Optional 15.3% 21.8% 37.1% Total 71.7% 28.3% 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 1 4 5 Optional 246 3687 3933 Total 247 3691 3938 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.0% 0.1% 0.1% Optional 6.2% 93.6% 99.9% Total 6.3% 93.7% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 311 7.9% 1 2648 67.2% 2 808 20.5% 3 115 2.9% 4 36 0.9% 5 11 0.3% 6 6 0.2% 7 2 0.1% 8 1 0.0% Total 3938 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 2121 53.9% Cause 1419 36.0% No Fault 288 7.3% Foreclosure 106 2.7% Unknown/Other 4 0.1% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Woronoco 900 1 Linwood 694 1 Florence 527 5 Chestnut Hill 282 6 Turners Falls 219 9 Holyoke 208 83 Fall River 185 165 New Bedford 180 172 Indian Orchard 178 18 Southbridge 173 29 Springfield 167 256 Hyannis 163 23 Dennis Port 158 5 Mattapan 156 57 Pittsfield 156 70 Dorchester 148 137 Roxbury 144 86 Thorndike 144 1 Brockton 143 135 Worcester 135 245 Haverhill 134 82 Lawrence 134 103 Greenfield 131 23 Ware 131 13 Lowell 128 137 Lynn 126 114 North Adams 124 17 Ayer 121 9 Clarksburg 117 2 Three Rivers 102 3 Charlestown 101 17 Chicopee 101 56 New Braintree 100 1 Hinsdale 98 2 Framingham 96 66 Hyde Park 95 32 Randolph 93 30 West Dennis 91 2 Salem 89 37 Webster 89 15 Revere 88 46 Gilbertville 86 1 Rockland 85 15 Fitchburg 84 34 Petersham 81 1 West Springfield 81 23 South Yarmouth 77 9 Pelham 75 1 Holbrook 74 8 Malden 74 44 Bridgewater 71 19 Everett 71 30 Quincy 71 66 Adams 70 6 East Falmouth 69 4 Middleborough 69 16 Avon 68 3 Woburn 68 26 Peabody 66 34 Roslindale 65 19 Gardner 64 13 Taunton 64 36 Granville 63 1 Otis 62 1 Leominster 61 25 Marion 61 3 Athol 60 7 Chelsea 59 21 Buzzards Bay 58 2 Clinton 58 8 Cambridge 57 60 Dorchester Center 57 53 Abington 56 9 Becket 56 1 Dedham 56 14 Easthampton 56 9 Russell 56 1 Erving 55 1 Belchertown 54 8 Marlborough 54 21 South Dennis 54 2 Wales 54 1 Norwood 52 15 Vineyard Haven 52 1 Feeding Hills 51 6 North Eastham 51 1 Orange 51 4 Tewksbury 51 15 Winthrop 51 9 Swampscott 50 7 Maynard 49 5 North Andover 49 14 Palmer 49 6 Westborough 49 9 Chatham 48 3 Plainville 48 4 South Easton 48 5 Stoughton 48 13 Whitman 48 7 Beverly 45 18 Danvers 45 12 Huntington 45 1 Carver 43 5 Marshfield 43 11 Pepperell 43 5 Amesbury 42 7 Methuen 42 20 Brighton 41 18 Hudson 41 8 Westwood 41 6 Pembroke 39 7 Warren 38 2 Winchendon 38 4 Ipswich 37 5 Jamaica Plain 37 14 Ludlow 37 8 North Falmouth 37 1 South Barre 37 2 West Yarmouth 37 2 Wareham 36 8 Wellfleet 36 1 Westfield 36 15 Douglas 35 3 Mashpee 35 5 Monson 35 3 Monument Beach 35 1 East Boston 34 14 Mendon 34 2 Pocasset 34 1 South Hadley 34 6 Southampton 34 2 Spencer 34 4 Watertown 34 11 Provincetown 33 1 Saugus 33 9 Burlington 32 8 Fiskdale 32 1 Granby 32 2 Milford 32 9 Berkley 31 2 Dunstable 31 1 East Weymouth 31 17 Merrimac 31 2 Millville 31 1 North Attleborough 31 9 Plymouth 31 18 Charlton 30 4 Brookfield 29 1 Foxborough 29 5 Nahant 29 1 East Sandwich 28 1 Jefferson 28 1 Northborough 28 4 Waltham 28 17 Whitinsville 28 2 Allston 27 8 Attleborough 27 12 Braintree 27 10 Brimfield 27 1 Dracut 27 8 East Wareham 27 6 Sagamore 27 1 Sagamore Beach 27 1 Sunderland 27 1 West Brookfield 27 1 Chelmsford 26 9 Somerville 26 20 South Boston 26 9 Fairhaven 25 4 Millis 25 2 Newton Center 25 1 Sterling 25 2 Andover 24 8 Ashland 24 4 Bellingham 24 4 Georgetown 24 2 Gloucester 24 7 Harwich 24 3 Salisbury 24 2 West Newbury 23 1 Bedford 22 3 Middleton 22 2 Oak Bluffs 22 1 Raynham 22 3 Scituate 22 4 South Grafton 22 1 Sudbury 22 4 West Roxbury 22 7 Agawam 21 6 East Bridgewater 21 3 Mansfield 21 5 Medford 21 12 Oxford 21 3 Seekonk 21 3 Boxborough 20 1 Eastham 20 1 Marblehead 20 4 Duxbury 19 3 East Longmeadow 19 3 Lenox 19 1 Lunenburg 19 2 Nantucket 19 2 Shrewsbury 19 7 Canton 18 4 Franklin 18 6 Lakeville 18 2 Melrose 18 5 Natick 18 6 North Billerica 18 2 Roxbury Crossing 18 11 Swansea 18 3 Dover 17 1 Dudley 17 2 E. Boston 17 7 Rowley 17 1 Mattapoisett 16 1 Amherst 15 6 East Taunton 15 1 Groveland 15 1 Kingston 15 2 Medway 15 2 Newbury 15 1 North Easton 15 2 Wayland 15 2 Billerica 14 6 Dalton 14 1 Holliston 14 2 Milton 14 4 Wilbraham 14 2 Acton 13 3 Halifax 13 1 North Reading 13 2 Shirley 13 1 Auburn 12 2 Boston 12 78 Lancaster 12 1 Lexington 12 4 Wakefield 12 3 Walpole 12 3 Westport 12 2 Williamstown 12 1 Blackstone 11 1 Concord 11 2 Holden 11 2 Littleton 11 1 Newburyport 11 2 Sharon 11 2 Sutton 11 1 Townsend 11 1 Weymouth 11 6 Auburndale 10 1 Brewster 10 1 Brookline 10 6 North Chelmsford 10 1 Southwick 10 1 Sturbridge 10 1 Arlington 9 4 Hanson 9 1 Hingham 9 2 Hull 9 1 Leicester 9 1 Rochdale 9 1 South Weymouth 9 5 Westford 9 2 Wrentham 9 1 Groton 8 1 Medfield 8 1 North Dartmouth 8 2 Rehoboth 8 1 Dennis 7 1 North Uxbridge 7 1 Northampton 7 2 Longmeadow 6 1 Needham 6 2 Northbridge 6 1 South Dartmouth 5 2 Belmont 4 1 Easton 4 1 Reading 4 1 Sandwich 4 1 Stoneham 4 1 Falmouth 3 1 Manomet 1 1 Newton 1 1 North Weymouth 1 1 (not given) 0 28 Readville 0 1 span 0 7 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 697 496 Plymouth 648 280 Berkshire 632 102 Bristol 522 430 Essex 451 496 Worcester 412 459 Barnstable 383 74 Franklin 360 38 Suffolk 325 643 Hampshire 298 55 Norfolk 289 247 Middlesex 247 578 Nantucket 56 2 Dukes 48 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 3330 84.6% Ongoing/Error 608 15.4% 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 1721 51.7% Defaulted 795 23.9% Dismissed 653 19.6% Heard 144 4.3% Other 17 0.5% Total 3330 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 153 217 341 90 17 Foreclosure 23 36 38 8 0 No Fault 46 45 188 8 0 Non-payment 431 497 1153 38 0 Unknown/Other 0 0 1 0 0 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 4.6% 6.5% 10.2% 2.7% 0.5% Foreclosure 0.7% 1.1% 1.1% 0.2% 0.0% No Fault 1.4% 1.4% 5.6% 0.2% 0.0% Non-payment 12.9% 14.9% 34.6% 1.1% 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 1834 55.1% 46.6% Judgment inferred 661 19.8% 16.8% No judgment 835 25.1% 21.2% Total 3330 100.0% 63.4% Judgments by reason, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 465 14.0% 0 43,418 2,127 3,303 989,286 Foreclosure 60 1.8% 0 73,270 1,981 9,551 118,884 No fault 123 3.7% 0 13,448 1,377 2,065 169,454 Non-payment 1186 35.6% 0 68,511 3,047 4,097 3,614,159 Subtotal 1834 55.1% 0 73,270 2,667 4,145 4,891,785 Judgments by outcome, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 86 2.6% 0 15,759 2,222 2,586 191,176 Defaulted 748 22.5% 0 73,270 2,704 4,830 2,022,594 Mediated 914 27.4% 0 66,483 2,677 3,691 2,447,315 Heard 69 2.1% 0 18,235 2,557 3,385 176,489 Other 17 0.5% 246 15,678 3,188 3,632 54,210 Subtotal 1834 55.1% 0 73,270 2,667 4,145 4,891,785 By prevailing party, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed defendant 7 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% plaintiff 1943 77.9% 58.3% 49.3% unknown 545 21.8% 16.4% 13.8% Total 2495 100.0% 74.9% 63.4% Judgments All Cases: Count: 1834 Range: 0.000 - 73270.980; Mean: 2667.277; Median: 1808.430; Stddev: 4146.989 Percentiles: 90th: 5771.740; 95th: 7677.500; 99th: 13601.610 0.000 - 14.376: 1 | 14.376 - 99.969: 5 | 99.969 - 257.741: 230 ################## 257.741 - 662.047: 138 ########### 662.047 - 1698.117: 401 ################################ 1698.117 - 4353.135: 666 ##################################################### 4353.135 - 11156.852: 262 ##################### 11156.852 - 28591.969: 34 ### 28591.969 - 73270.980: 6 | Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 465 Range: 0.000 - 43418.000; Mean: 2127.498; Median: 1105.080; Stddev: 3307.188 Percentiles: 90th: 5053.910; 95th: 7149.960; 99th: 14418.160 0.000 - 209.260: 57 ################################## 209.260 - 379.163: 42 ######################### 379.163 - 686.359: 22 ############# 686.359 - 1241.789: 56 ################################## 1241.789 - 2246.042: 68 ######################################### 2246.042 - 4061.794: 88 ##################################################### 4061.794 - 7344.791: 45 ########################### 7344.791 - 13280.659: 15 ######### 13280.659 - 24013.087: 6 #### 24013.087 - 43418.000: 1 # Foreclosure: Count: 60 Range: 0.000 - 73270.980; Mean: 1981.403; Median: 205.000; Stddev: 9632.420 Percentiles: 90th: 1004.610; 95th: 4257.570; 99th: 73270.980 0.000 - 315.500: 49 ##################################################### 315.500 - 1060.286: 1 # 1060.286 - 1942.398: 1 # 1942.398 - 6515.591: 2 ## 6515.591 - 11932.005: 1 # 11932.005 - 21850.396: 1 # 21850.396 - 73270.980: 1 # No Fault: Count: 123 Range: 0.000 - 13448.600; Mean: 1377.680; Median: 443.930; Stddev: 2074.420 Percentiles: 90th: 3643.790; 95th: 5027.240; 99th: 9870.040 0.000 - 222.794: 41 ##################################################### 222.794 - 351.776: 5 ###### 351.776 - 555.097: 4 ##### 555.097 - 875.600: 9 ############ 875.600 - 1380.825: 10 ############# 1380.825 - 2177.233: 15 ################### 2177.233 - 3432.646: 10 ############# 3432.646 - 5411.611: 10 ############# 5411.611 - 8531.142: 2 ### 8531.142 - 13448.600: 3 #### Non-payment: Count: 1186 Range: 0.000 - 68511.020; Mean: 3047.352; Median: 2236.120; Stddev: 4098.908 Percentiles: 90th: 6045.300; 95th: 7900.000; 99th: 13601.610 0.000 - 14.273: 1 | 14.273 - 97.955: 4 | 97.955 - 250.882: 56 ###### 250.882 - 640.149: 90 ######### 640.149 - 1631.002: 272 ############################ 1631.002 - 4153.149: 512 ##################################################### 4153.149 - 10573.106: 208 ###################### 10573.106 - 26914.672: 31 ### 26914.672 - 68511.020: 4 | Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 86 Range: 0.000 - 15759.290; Mean: 2222.986; Median: 1541.810; Stddev: 2601.202 Percentiles: 90th: 4080.600; 95th: 7122.720; 99th: 15759.290 0.000 - 252.585: 11 ############################# 252.585 - 400.231: 4 ########### 400.231 - 633.842: 9 ######################## 633.842 - 1003.470: 7 ################### 1003.470 - 1588.309: 10 ########################### 1588.309 - 2513.661: 14 ##################################### 2513.661 - 3977.786: 20 ##################################################### 3977.786 - 6294.378: 3 ######## 6294.378 - 9959.772: 4 ########### 9959.772 - 15759.290: 2 ##### Defaulted: Count: 748 Range: 0.000 - 73270.980; Mean: 2704.003; Median: 1742.150; Stddev: 4833.909 Percentiles: 90th: 5815.410; 95th: 7451.330; 99th: 13471.980 0.000 - 262.506: 120 ################################ 262.506 - 491.451: 28 ####### 491.451 - 919.311: 49 ############# 919.311 - 1718.914: 144 ###################################### 1718.914 - 3213.242: 201 ##################################################### 3213.242 - 6005.900: 110 ############################# 6005.900 - 11224.929: 53 ############## 11224.929 - 20978.453: 11 ### 20978.453 - 39206.220: 1 | 39206.220 - 73270.980: 4 # Mediated: Count: 914 Range: 0.000 - 66483.990; Mean: 2677.588; Median: 1908.185; Stddev: 3693.389 Percentiles: 90th: 5767.440; 95th: 7677.500; 99th: 13448.600 0.000 - 14.227: 1 | 14.227 - 97.067: 4 # 97.067 - 247.874: 86 ############## 247.874 - 630.593: 75 ############ 630.593 - 1601.857: 182 ############################# 1601.857 - 4066.728: 337 ##################################################### 4066.728 - 10322.076: 146 ####################### 10322.076 - 26196.893: 26 #### 26196.893 - 66483.990: 2 | Heard: Count: 69 Range: 0.000 - 18235.260; Mean: 2557.813; Median: 1409.000; Stddev: 3410.257 Percentiles: 90th: 5603.760; 95th: 9221.890; 99th: 18235.260 0.000 - 274.406: 10 ################################################ 274.406 - 437.836: 1 ##### 437.836 - 698.249: 4 ################### 698.249 - 1113.194: 11 ##################################################### 1113.194 - 1774.375: 6 ############################# 1774.375 - 2827.910: 9 ########################################### 2827.910 - 4506.631: 10 ################################################ 4506.631 - 7181.530: 6 ############################# 7181.530 - 11443.758: 2 ########## 11443.758 - 18235.260: 3 ############## Other Outcome: Count: 17 Range: 246.000 - 15678.530; Mean: 3188.835; Median: 2133.390; Stddev: 3744.259 Percentiles: 90th: 6063.490; 95th: 15678.530; 99th: 15678.530 246.000 - 373.077: 2 ########################### 373.077 - 857.001: 1 ############# 857.001 - 1298.426: 3 ######################################## 1298.426 - 1966.954: 2 ########################### 1966.954 - 2979.428: 4 ##################################################### 2979.428 - 4512.799: 1 ############# 4512.799 - 6835.059: 3 ######################################## 6835.059 - 15678.530: 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 1796 72.0% 53.9% 45.6% Issued 1598 64.0% 48.0% 40.6% Levied 328 13.1% 9.8% 8.3% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 41 12.5% 1.6% 1.2% 1.0% Foreclosure 34 10.4% 1.4% 1.0% 0.9% No Fault 21 6.4% 0.8% 0.6% 0.5% Non-payment 232 70.7% 9.3% 7.0% 5.9% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 328 100.0% 13.1% 9.8% 8.3% 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 32 9.8% 1.3% 1.0% 0.8% Defaulted 105 32.0% 4.2% 3.2% 2.7% Mediated 188 57.3% 7.5% 5.6% 4.8% Heard 3 0.9% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Outcomes 328 100.0% 13.1% 9.8% 8.3% 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 34 106 32.1% Non-payment 232 2121 10.9% No Fault 21 288 7.3% Cause 41 1419 2.9% Unknown/Other 0 4 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 105 795 13.2% Mediated 188 1721 10.9% Dismissed 32 653 4.9% Heard 3 144 2.1% Other 0 17 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 0 2676 94 236 Non-payment 0 2402 30 114 No Fault 3 632 38 78 Foreclosure 0 870 57 117 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 0 All Reasons 0 2676 47 154 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 2 2301 60 197 Defaulted 0 2676 38 130 Mediated 0 2382 37 101 Heard 0 2402 145 309 Other 0 2676 193 640 All Outcomes 0 2676 47 154 All Cases: Count: 3330 Range: 0.000 - 2676.000; Mean: 47.734; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 154.001 Percentiles: 90th: 78.000; 95th: 176.000; 99th: 577.000 0.000 - 3.109: 8 | 3.109 - 7.440: 37 # 7.440 - 16.339: 1695 ##################################################### 16.339 - 34.619: 933 ############################# 34.619 - 72.171: 293 ######### 72.171 - 149.315: 167 ##### 149.315 - 307.790: 102 ### 307.790 - 633.344: 63 ## 633.344 - 1302.126: 8 | 1302.126 - 2676.000: 15 | By Reason Cause: Count: 818 Range: 0.000 - 2676.000; Mean: 94.430; Median: 25.000; Stddev: 236.333 Percentiles: 90th: 212.000; 95th: 403.000; 99th: 1305.000 0.000 - 4.918: 3 # 4.918 - 10.674: 150 #################################### 10.674 - 22.029: 219 ##################################################### 22.029 - 44.429: 150 #################################### 44.429 - 88.616: 104 ######################### 88.616 - 175.782: 87 ##################### 175.782 - 347.731: 50 ############ 347.731 - 686.928: 41 ########## 686.928 - 1356.049: 4 # 1356.049 - 2676.000: 7 ## Non-payment: Count: 2119 Range: 0.000 - 2402.000; Mean: 30.421; Median: 14.000; Stddev: 114.271 Percentiles: 90th: 37.000; 95th: 62.000; 99th: 329.000 0.000 - 3.064: 5 | 3.064 - 7.260: 22 # 7.260 - 15.786: 1182 ##################################################### 15.786 - 33.113: 661 ############################## 33.113 - 68.325: 146 ####### 68.325 - 139.885: 49 ## 139.885 - 285.310: 25 # 285.310 - 580.847: 14 # 580.847 - 1181.446: 4 | 1181.446 - 2402.000: 6 | No Fault: Count: 287 Range: 3.000 - 632.000; Mean: 38.648; Median: 18.000; Stddev: 78.823 Percentiles: 90th: 58.000; 95th: 164.000; 99th: 611.000 3.000 - 5.637: 2 # 5.637 - 10.014: 39 ##################### 10.014 - 17.275: 99 ##################################################### 17.275 - 29.325: 86 ############################################## 29.325 - 49.319: 26 ############## 49.319 - 82.496: 12 ###### 82.496 - 137.548: 7 #### 137.548 - 228.898: 9 ##### 228.898 - 380.478: 3 ## 380.478 - 632.000: 4 ## Foreclosure: Count: 105 Range: 0.000 - 870.000; Mean: 57.962; Median: 18.000; Stddev: 117.359 Percentiles: 90th: 146.000; 95th: 271.000; 99th: 620.000 0.000 - 11.787: 7 ####### 11.787 - 19.440: 54 ##################################################### 19.440 - 31.671: 15 ############### 31.671 - 51.223: 9 ######### 51.223 - 82.475: 2 ## 82.475 - 132.428: 4 #### 132.428 - 212.275: 5 ##### 212.275 - 339.904: 6 ###### 339.904 - 870.000: 2 ## By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 653 Range: 2.000 - 2301.000; Mean: 60.998; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 197.331 Percentiles: 90th: 104.000; 95th: 268.000; 99th: 646.000 2.000 - 4.829: 6 # 4.829 - 10.327: 177 ####################################### 10.327 - 21.010: 241 ##################################################### 21.010 - 41.768: 116 ########################## 41.768 - 82.102: 40 ######### 82.102 - 160.477: 23 ##### 160.477 - 312.769: 21 ##### 312.769 - 608.689: 17 #### 608.689 - 1183.696: 6 # 1183.696 - 2301.000: 6 # Defaulted: Count: 795 Range: 0.000 - 2676.000; Mean: 38.809; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 130.265 Percentiles: 90th: 58.000; 95th: 109.000; 99th: 573.000 0.000 - 8.372: 6 # 8.372 - 16.567: 413 ##################################################### 16.567 - 31.929: 232 ############################## 31.929 - 60.722: 70 ######### 60.722 - 114.694: 36 ##### 114.694 - 215.859: 18 ## 215.859 - 405.485: 8 # 405.485 - 760.926: 9 # 760.926 - 2676.000: 2 | Mediated: Count: 1721 Range: 0.000 - 2382.000; Mean: 37.222; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 101.446 Percentiles: 90th: 62.000; 95th: 126.000; 99th: 416.000 0.000 - 3.061: 2 | 3.061 - 7.246: 10 # 7.246 - 15.744: 830 ##################################################### 15.744 - 32.999: 557 #################################### 32.999 - 68.036: 154 ########## 68.036 - 139.180: 86 ##### 139.180 - 283.640: 42 ### 283.640 - 576.970: 28 ## 576.970 - 1172.585: 5 | 1172.585 - 2382.000: 2 | Heard: Count: 144 Range: 0.000 - 2402.000; Mean: 145.292; Median: 30.500; Stddev: 309.751 Percentiles: 90th: 402.000; 95th: 577.000; 99th: 1319.000 0.000 - 6.585: 1 ## 6.585 - 13.381: 32 ################################################### 13.381 - 26.269: 33 ##################################################### 26.269 - 50.706: 15 ######################## 50.706 - 97.041: 18 ############################# 97.041 - 184.899: 16 ########################## 184.899 - 351.489: 10 ################ 351.489 - 667.367: 12 ################### 667.367 - 2402.000: 5 ######## Other Outcome: Count: 17 Range: 0.000 - 2676.000; Mean: 193.412; Median: 31.000; Stddev: 640.749 Percentiles: 90th: 143.000; 95th: 2676.000; 99th: 2676.000 0.000 - 18.055: 5 ##################################################### 18.055 - 32.010: 3 ################################ 32.010 - 56.183: 4 ########################################## 56.183 - 98.059: 2 ##################### 98.059 - 170.601: 1 ########### 170.601 - 2676.000: 1 ########### -- 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/.