Outcomes for 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: 2018-01-01 Search Period End: 2018-12-31 Earliest Case: 2018-01-01 Latest Case: 2018-12-31 Total Cases: 39840 Total Transfers: 1093 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 35.1% Of those, percentage pro se: 57.4% 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: 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 6384 16.0% eastern 5969 15.0% central 5909 14.8% western 5809 14.6% southeast 5553 13.9% quincy district 1323 3.3% metro south 996 2.5% malden district 540 1.4% chelsea district 506 1.3% cambridge district 460 1.2% pittsfield district 404 1.0% lynn district 357 0.9% somerville district 331 0.8% springfield district 305 0.8% barnstable district 295 0.7% stoughton district 267 0.7% lowell district 260 0.7% dedham district 256 0.6% fall river district 226 0.6% northern berkshire district 213 0.5% wrentham district 204 0.5% brockton district 183 0.5% waltham district 173 0.4% attleboro district 172 0.4% framingham district 161 0.4% bmc west roxbury 158 0.4% woburn district 156 0.4% salem district 150 0.4% haverhill district 136 0.3% bmc dorchester 131 0.3% orleans district 127 0.3% fallmouth district 121 0.3% bmc east boston 119 0.3% lawrence district 105 0.3% holyoke district 91 0.2% newton district 78 0.2% new bedford district 77 0.2% westfield district 71 0.2% peabody district 68 0.2% brookline district 66 0.2% palmer district 64 0.2% plymouth district 56 0.1% ayer district 52 0.1% taunton district 52 0.1% chicopee district 48 0.1% milford district 48 0.1% bmc south boston 47 0.1% hingham district 46 0.1% wareham district 44 0.1% edgartown district 43 0.1% eastern hampshire district 40 0.1% concord district 38 0.1% newburyport district 38 0.1% northampton district 37 0.1% gloucester district 31 0.1% natick district 28 0.1% greenfield district 26 0.1% orange district 26 0.1% southern berkshire district 26 0.1% nantucket district 24 0.1% bmc roxbury 23 0.1% bmc brighton 21 0.1% worcester district 17 0.0% clinton district 8 0.0% westborough district 7 0.0% chelsea_district 6 0.0% bmc central 5 0.0% cambridge_district 4 0.0% fall_river_district 4 0.0% framingham_district 4 0.0% attleboro_district 2 0.0% barnstable_district 2 0.0% brockton_district 2 0.0% dedham_district 2 0.0% eastern_hampshire_district 2 0.0% ayer_district 1 0.0% bmc charlestown 1 0.0% brookline_district 1 0.0% concord_district 1 0.0% fallmouth_district 1 0.0% ipswich district 1 0.0% marlborough district 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 25840 94 Natural Person 14000 39746 Total 39840 39840 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 64.9% 0.2% Natural Person 35.1% 99.8% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 24312 1528 25840 Optional 5961 8039 14000 Total 30273 9567 39840 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 61.0% 3.8% 64.9% Optional 15.0% 20.2% 35.1% Total 76.0% 24.0% 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 26 68 94 Optional 2500 37246 39746 Total 2526 37314 39840 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% Optional 6.3% 93.5% 99.8% Total 6.3% 93.7% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 2549 6.4% 1 26658 66.9% 2 8474 21.3% 3 1445 3.6% 4 470 1.2% 5 161 0.4% 6 50 0.1% 7 16 0.0% 8 9 0.0% 9 4 0.0% 10 3 0.0% 12 1 0.0% Total 39840 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 22278 55.9% Cause 13002 32.6% No Fault 3138 7.9% Foreclosure 1404 3.5% Unknown/Other 18 0.0% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Florence 4641 44 Chestnut Hill 2072 44 Springfield 1901 2911 North Adams 1743 239 Indian Orchard 1618 163 Holyoke 1594 636 Pittsfield 1589 711 Fall River 1573 1398 New Bedford 1536 1461 Dorchester 1430 1316 Turners Falls 1390 57 Linwood 1388 2 Worcester 1336 2420 Fitchburg 1309 528 Lawrence 1284 981 Hyannis 1256 177 Brockton 1240 1164 Lowell 1223 1303 East Falmouth 1158 67 Southbridge 1142 191 Lynn 1117 1009 Humarock 1111 2 Chicopee 1108 613 Randolph 1096 352 Dennis Port 1075 34 Mattapan 1058 386 Athol 1035 120 Ware 1033 102 Greenfield 1025 179 Webster 1025 172 Chelsea 1020 359 West Yarmouth 1005 53 Salem 994 411 Haverhill 982 598 Adams 966 82 Roxbury 944 563 Gardner 919 186 Buzzards Bay 903 31 Hyde Park 894 299 Leeds 884 9 Framingham 862 589 Vineyard Haven 847 16 Taunton 817 457 Revere 813 421 Orange 803 63 Bondsville 799 15 Ayer 794 59 West Wareham 782 17 Charlestown 779 130 Roslindale 771 223 Everett 755 315 South Easton 743 76 Dorchester Center 737 678 Malden 726 432 Winchendon 708 73 Millers Falls 700 9 Stoughton 697 188 West Springfield 697 198 Danvers 671 178 Hull 670 69 Three Rivers 646 19 South Boston 635 214 Rockland 634 111 Gilbertville 608 7 Peabody 597 306 Sunderland 597 22 Gloucester 580 167 Leominster 576 235 Milford 564 158 Whitinsville 561 39 Whitman 559 81 Woburn 548 209 Beverly 544 215 Quincy 541 500 Middleborough 532 123 Westfield 525 216 Canton 524 113 Braintree 520 186 Bridgewater 519 138 South Yarmouth 516 60 Cambridge 511 538 Amesbury 509 83 New Braintree 500 5 Allston 496 145 Wales 489 9 Baldwinville 475 9 Foxborough 474 80 Salisbury 470 39 Abington 469 75 Cheshire 463 15 Methuen 457 216 Forestdale 454 20 Holbrook 454 49 Palmer 453 55 Feeding Hills 445 52 North Andover 444 126 Spencer 444 52 Jamaica Plain 443 166 South Dennis 434 16 Savoy 433 3 Thorndike 433 3 Norwood 430 123 Lenox Dale 429 2 Attleborough 424 185 Avon 413 18 Brighton 412 181 Mansfield 409 95 Southfield 404 2 Housatonic 398 3 Waltham 397 241 Westborough 388 71 North Brookfield 384 18 Dracut 383 113 Belchertown 375 55 Provincetown 373 11 Marstons Mills 369 18 Edgartown 368 15 West Dennis 367 8 North Attleborough 365 105 Winthrop 360 63 Stockbridge 359 7 Seekonk 357 49 East Boston 355 144 Millbury 354 47 Plainville 350 29 Chilmark 346 3 Bedford 345 46 Somerville 339 257 Clinton 338 46 Dudley 333 38 Blackstone 332 30 Millis 329 26 Mashpee 328 46 Plymouth 325 184 Dedham 323 80 Medford 323 182 Huntington 321 7 East Brookfield 320 7 Royalston 317 4 Charlemont 315 4 Weymouth 314 169 Raynham 313 42 Easthampton 311 50 Plainfield 308 2 Saugus 307 82 Nantucket 304 31 Cotuit 303 10 Pepperell 295 34 South Deerfield 293 6 Tewksbury 293 85 East Weymouth 292 157 Shirley 291 21 Wellfleet 290 8 Lunenburg 287 29 Newton Center 282 11 Leyden 281 2 South Hadley 279 49 Marshfield 278 70 Erving 277 5 Pocasset 276 8 Pembroke 274 49 Roxbury Crossing 273 163 Warren 272 14 Northborough 268 38 Swampscott 268 37 Great Barrington 267 19 Oak Bluffs 265 12 West Warren 264 3 Hudson 262 50 Stoneham 261 56 Ludlow 260 55 Fiskdale 259 8 Rockport 258 18 Chelmsford 257 87 Maynard 257 26 Wakefield 256 64 Warwick 256 2 Brewster 254 25 Kingston 253 32 Melrose 252 68 East Taunton 250 16 Auburn 247 40 Wareham 247 54 Chesterfield 245 3 Lakeville 245 26 Bellingham 244 40 Petersham 243 3 Southampton 241 14 South Barre 240 13 Ashland 235 39 Carver 234 27 Nahant 234 8 Berkley 233 15 Monson 233 20 Charlton 231 30 Southwick 231 22 Harwich Port 230 4 Centerville 229 31 Watertown 228 73 West Roxbury 226 69 East Wareham 224 49 Townsend 224 20 Dalton 222 15 Brimfield 221 8 Eastham 221 11 Tyngsborough 221 25 West Boylston 221 17 North Oxford 220 5 Norton 220 42 Swansea 220 35 Georgetown 219 18 Millville 219 7 Newburyport 218 38 Sandisfield 218 2 West Tisbury 218 6 West Brookfield 216 8 Uxbridge 215 29 Sheffield 214 7 Ipswich 212 28 Newtonville 210 11 Wilmington 210 47 Andover 207 69 Fairhaven 207 33 Oxford 204 28 New Salem 202 2 Burlington 200 49 Northampton 199 57 Osterville 198 7 Hinsdale 196 4 Medway 196 25 North Reading 194 29 Shrewsbury 190 68 Rowley 187 11 West Bridgewater 187 13 Barre 185 10 Washington 185 1 Franklin 183 58 Cummaquid 182 1 Leicester 182 20 Westford 182 40 Somerset 181 33 Ashburnham 180 11 Colrain 179 3 Billerica 178 72 Middleton 178 16 Phillipston 178 3 Yarmouth Port 178 9 Amherst 177 67 Byfield 177 5 West Barnstable 177 5 Westwood 177 26 Hanson 176 18 Berlin 174 5 Worthington 173 2 East Sandwich 172 6 Sturbridge 172 16 Marblehead 171 34 Shelburne Falls 170 3 Hopedale 169 10 Natick 169 56 Orleans 169 10 Becket 168 3 Westport 167 26 Mattapoisett 165 10 Westminster 164 12 Rutland 163 13 Williamsburg 161 4 Brookline 160 94 East Bridgewater 159 22 Boston 158 981 South Grafton 156 7 Cherry Valley 154 17 Douglas 153 13 Attleboro Falls 152 3 Lee 151 9 E. Boston 150 61 Chester 149 2 North Truro 149 3 Brookfield 147 5 Harwich 147 18 East Longmeadow 146 23 Halifax 146 11 Cohasset 145 11 Hanover 144 20 Essex 142 5 Jefferson 142 5 Marion 142 7 North Dighton 141 6 Walpole 141 34 West Townsend 141 3 Bernardston 140 3 Duxbury 139 21 Groveland 139 9 North Easton 138 18 Agawam 137 39 Milton 137 37 Lancaster 136 11 Gill 133 2 Whately 133 2 Florida 132 1 New Marlborough 132 2 Auburndale 131 12 North Billerica 131 14 Ashby 130 4 Belmont 129 32 Lynnfield 129 15 Williamstown 128 10 Acton 127 28 Granville 127 2 Acushnet 126 13 Otis 124 2 Ashley Falls 120 1 Boxborough 120 6 Montgomery 119 1 West Newbury 118 5 Clarksburg 117 2 Wendell 117 1 North Grafton 116 9 Ashfield 115 2 Newton Upper Falls 115 7 Scituate 115 21 Southborough 112 11 North Falmouth 111 3 Sutton 111 10 Arlington 109 47 North Chelmsford 109 10 Wrentham 109 12 Sagamore 108 4 Hopkinton 107 16 Needham 107 31 Plympton 106 3 Upton 106 8 Monterey 104 1 East Freetown 102 5 Sterling 102 8 Lexington 101 32 North Dartmouth 101 24 Littleton 100 9 Lenox 99 5 Templeton 99 8 Truro 99 2 Wilbraham 98 14 Chatham 97 6 South Chatham 97 1 Bradford 96 13 Onset 96 21 Hadley 95 5 Northbridge 95 15 Sudbury 90 16 Cataumet 88 1 Rehoboth 86 10 Reading 84 21 Paxton 83 4 Hingham 81 18 Granby 80 5 Holland 80 2 Grafton 78 14 Merrimac 78 5 West Chatham 78 1 Sandwich 77 16 West Stockbridge 76 1 Concord 73 13 Sharon 73 13 Rochdale 72 8 South Attleboro 72 6 South Egremont 72 1 South Weymouth 72 39 Dighton 70 5 Hubbardston 68 3 Mendon 68 4 North Weymouth 68 38 Assonet 67 6 Richmond 67 1 Northfield 65 2 South Lancaster 61 1 Stow 60 4 West Hatfield 59 2 Hampden 58 3 Medfield 58 7 Falmouth 57 18 Longmeadow 57 9 West Harwich 57 7 Russell 56 1 Shutesbury 56 1 Needham Heights 55 16 Leverett 54 1 West Falmouth 54 1 Buckland 52 1 Oakham 52 1 West Newton 52 7 Topsfield 49 3 Hanscom Afb 48 1 Montague 47 4 Holden 46 8 Boylston 45 2 Newbury 45 3 Dennis 42 6 Wellesley 42 12 Winchester 42 9 South Dartmouth 41 14 Bolton 40 2 Manchester 38 2 Norwell 38 4 Rochester 38 2 Boxford 37 3 South Hamilton 37 3 Holliston 36 5 Dartmouth 35 12 Monument Beach 35 1 Weston 35 4 Hardwick 33 1 Lanesborough 32 1 Lincoln 31 2 Bourne 30 6 Wayland 30 4 Hatfield 29 1 North Hatfield 29 1 East Walpole 27 7 Newton 27 23 Sagamore Beach 27 1 Groton 26 3 Norfolk 26 3 Easton 25 6 Hamilton 25 2 Waban 25 2 Wenham 20 1 Barnstable 17 8 Dover 17 1 Newton Highlands 17 15 South Lee 16 1 Harvard 15 1 Charlton City 7 1 North Uxbridge 7 1 South Harwich 7 1 Wellesley Hills 6 2 Charleston 5 1 Marlborough 5 2 Newton Lower Falls 5 5 (not given) 0 256 Ashford 0 1 Brant Rock 0 1 Chesnut Hill 0 1 Duncannon 0 1 Eau Claire 0 1 New Castle 0 1 Westport Point 0 1 span 0 71 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 7161 5091 Berkshire 7144 1153 Plymouth 5702 2462 Bristol 5101 4196 Worcester 4561 5077 Essex 4332 4762 Barnstable 4041 780 Franklin 3565 376 Suffolk 3324 6563 Norfolk 3075 2621 Hampshire 2600 479 Middlesex 2513 5864 Dukes 1267 52 Nantucket 882 31 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 34711 87.1% Ongoing/Error 5129 12.9% 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 17222 49.6% Defaulted 7988 23.0% Dismissed 7742 22.3% Heard 1576 4.5% Other 183 0.5% Total 34711 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 1633 1768 3454 975 181 Foreclosure 272 493 553 77 0 No Fault 558 496 1962 106 1 Non-payment 5277 5231 11252 416 1 Unknown/Other 2 0 1 2 0 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 4.7% 5.1% 10.0% 2.8% 0.5% Foreclosure 0.8% 1.4% 1.6% 0.2% 0.0% No Fault 1.6% 1.4% 5.7% 0.3% 0.0% Non-payment 15.2% 15.1% 32.4% 1.2% 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 18159 52.3% 45.6% Judgment inferred 6984 20.1% 17.5% No judgment 9568 27.6% 24.0% Total 34711 100.0% 63.1% Judgments by reason, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 4305 12.4% 0 131,241 2,597 4,685 11,181,349 Foreclosure 721 2.1% 0 70,613 1,242 5,371 895,938 No fault 1326 3.8% 0 482,039 2,180 13,659 2,891,548 Non-payment 11806 34.0% 0 415,497 3,382 5,371 39,934,887 Unknown/Other 1 0.0% 240 240 240 0 240 Subtotal 18159 52.3% 0 482,039 3,023 6,248 54,903,964 Judgments by outcome, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 951 2.7% 0 93,894 2,322 4,236 2,208,771 Defaulted 7636 22.0% 0 89,261 2,874 3,998 21,952,498 Mediated 8762 25.2% 0 482,039 3,138 7,807 27,503,008 Heard 630 1.8% 0 99,167 4,249 7,094 2,677,448 Other 180 0.5% 100 28,966 3,123 3,580 562,237 Subtotal 18159 52.3% 0 482,039 3,023 6,248 54,903,964 By prevailing party, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed defendant 83 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% plaintiff 19110 76.0% 55.1% 48.0% unknown 5950 23.7% 17.1% 14.9% Total 25143 100.0% 72.4% 63.1% Judgments All Cases: Count: 18159 Range: 0.000 - 482039.100; Mean: 3023.513; Median: 2007.260; Stddev: 6248.450 Percentiles: 90th: 6394.310; 95th: 8729.270; 99th: 16565.000 0.000 - 5.937: 1 | 5.937 - 22.943: 6 | 22.943 - 81.635: 25 | 81.635 - 284.201: 2523 ################## 284.201 - 983.327: 2181 ################ 983.327 - 3396.256: 7356 ##################################################### 3396.256 - 11724.113: 5048 #################################### 11724.113 - 40466.441: 410 ### 40466.441 - 139666.210: 25 | 139666.210 - 482039.100: 2 | Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 4305 Range: 0.000 - 131241.230; Mean: 2597.294; Median: 1449.530; Stddev: 4685.907 Percentiles: 90th: 6077.870; 95th: 8427.490; 99th: 16475.350 0.000 - 5.091: 1 | 5.091 - 17.457: 1 | 17.457 - 54.932: 4 | 54.932 - 168.491: 82 ### 168.491 - 512.612: 987 ###################################### 512.612 - 1555.405: 758 ############################# 1555.405 - 4715.397: 1367 ##################################################### 4715.397 - 14291.167: 640 ######################### 14291.167 - 43308.767: 56 ## 43308.767 - 131241.230: 7 | Foreclosure: Count: 721 Range: 0.000 - 70613.240; Mean: 1242.634; Median: 205.670; Stddev: 5375.681 Percentiles: 90th: 428.220; 95th: 5617.110; 99th: 30600.890 0.000 - 261.535: 537 ##################################################### 261.535 - 487.825: 82 ######## 487.825 - 909.167: 6 # 909.167 - 1693.683: 2 | 1693.683 - 3154.409: 10 # 3154.409 - 5874.205: 17 ## 5874.205 - 10938.320: 15 # 10938.320 - 20367.435: 7 # 20367.435 - 37923.946: 7 # 37923.946 - 70613.240: 4 | No Fault: Count: 1326 Range: 0.000 - 482039.100; Mean: 2180.655; Median: 915.325; Stddev: 13665.007 Percentiles: 90th: 4122.140; 95th: 5751.110; 99th: 14896.740 0.000 - 159.656: 12 # 159.656 - 390.068: 473 ##################################################### 390.068 - 950.932: 109 ############ 950.932 - 2316.179: 325 #################################### 2316.179 - 5639.447: 263 ############################# 5639.447 - 13728.903: 54 ###### 13728.903 - 33420.151: 11 # 33420.151 - 81352.328: 2 | 81352.328 - 482039.100: 1 | Non-payment: Count: 11806 Range: 0.000 - 415497.700; Mean: 3382.593; Median: 2443.430; Stddev: 5371.985 Percentiles: 90th: 6811.710; 95th: 9075.140; 99th: 16311.320 0.000 - 27.834: 7 | 27.834 - 82.555: 11 | 82.555 - 241.129: 492 ##### 241.129 - 700.652: 939 ########## 700.652 - 2032.276: 3466 ################################### 2032.276 - 5891.113: 5208 ##################################################### 5891.113 - 17073.409: 1508 ############### 17073.409 - 49477.936: 95 # 49477.936 - 143381.124: 9 | 143381.124 - 415497.700: 1 | Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 951 Range: 0.000 - 93894.860; Mean: 2322.578; Median: 1376.260; Stddev: 4238.542 Percentiles: 90th: 4887.740; 95th: 6814.860; 99th: 16152.490 0.000 - 65.972: 1 | 65.972 - 148.807: 6 # 148.807 - 334.097: 184 ###################################### 334.097 - 748.566: 116 ######################## 748.566 - 1675.676: 210 ########################################### 1675.676 - 3749.495: 259 ##################################################### 3749.495 - 8388.345: 128 ########################## 8388.345 - 18764.819: 23 ##### 18764.819 - 41975.573: 7 # 41975.573 - 93894.860: 1 | Defaulted: Count: 7636 Range: 0.000 - 89261.370; Mean: 2874.869; Median: 1918.990; Stddev: 3998.759 Percentiles: 90th: 6258.970; 95th: 8663.330; 99th: 16423.130 0.000 - 110.862: 4 | 110.862 - 234.030: 1137 ############################# 234.030 - 492.818: 460 ############ 492.818 - 1036.553: 751 ################### 1036.553 - 2178.984: 1709 ############################################ 2178.984 - 4579.325: 2063 ##################################################### 4579.325 - 9622.639: 1098 ############################ 9622.639 - 20219.055: 254 ####### 20219.055 - 42482.998: 34 # 42482.998 - 89261.370: 8 | Mediated: Count: 8762 Range: 0.000 - 482039.100; Mean: 3138.896; Median: 2164.980; Stddev: 7807.687 Percentiles: 90th: 6460.000; 95th: 8580.940; 99th: 15902.250 0.000 - 5.937: 1 | 5.937 - 22.943: 6 | 22.943 - 81.635: 17 | 81.635 - 284.201: 916 ############# 284.201 - 983.327: 1009 ############### 983.327 - 3396.256: 3618 ##################################################### 3396.256 - 11724.113: 2631 ####################################### 11724.113 - 40466.441: 183 ### 40466.441 - 139666.210: 11 | 139666.210 - 482039.100: 2 | Heard: Count: 630 Range: 0.000 - 99167.670; Mean: 4249.918; Median: 2310.565; Stddev: 7100.630 Percentiles: 90th: 9866.400; 95th: 14153.170; 99th: 36522.630 0.000 - 58.308: 2 # 58.308 - 134.286: 1 | 134.286 - 307.598: 87 ############################### 307.598 - 702.937: 21 ####### 702.937 - 1604.735: 61 ##################### 1604.735 - 3661.807: 151 ##################################################### 3661.807 - 8354.148: 148 #################################################### 8354.148 - 19057.743: 58 #################### 19057.743 - 43473.478: 19 ####### 43473.478 - 99167.670: 2 # Other Outcome: Count: 180 Range: 100.000 - 28966.900; Mean: 3123.541; Median: 2063.835; Stddev: 3590.805 Percentiles: 90th: 6562.200; 95th: 9296.350; 99th: 23450.000 100.000 - 176.861: 3 #### 176.861 - 312.214: 9 ############ 312.214 - 550.569: 4 ##### 550.569 - 970.314: 24 ################################# 970.314 - 1709.485: 38 #################################################### 1709.485 - 3011.165: 39 ##################################################### 3011.165 - 5303.425: 35 ################################################ 5303.425 - 9340.097: 19 ########################## 9340.097 - 16448.680: 6 ######## 16448.680 - 28966.900: 3 #### 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 17890 71.2% 51.5% 44.9% Issued 15793 62.8% 45.5% 39.6% Levied 3587 14.3% 10.3% 9.0% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 439 12.2% 1.7% 1.3% 1.1% Foreclosure 338 9.4% 1.3% 1.0% 0.8% No Fault 277 7.7% 1.1% 0.8% 0.7% Non-payment 2533 70.6% 10.1% 7.3% 6.4% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 3587 100.0% 14.3% 10.3% 9.0% 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 319 8.9% 1.3% 0.9% 0.8% Defaulted 1277 35.6% 5.1% 3.7% 3.2% Mediated 1920 53.5% 7.6% 5.5% 4.8% Heard 71 2.0% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Outcomes 3587 100.0% 14.3% 10.3% 9.0% 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 338 1404 24.1% Non-payment 2533 22278 11.4% No Fault 277 3138 8.8% Cause 439 13002 3.4% Unknown/Other 0 18 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 1277 7988 16.0% Mediated 1920 17222 11.1% Heard 71 1576 4.5% Dismissed 319 7742 4.1% Other 0 183 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 2577 87 228 Non-payment 0 2613 34 123 No Fault 0 2303 39 108 Foreclosure 0 2193 64 156 Unknown/Other 9 330 120 147 All Reasons 0 2613 48 156 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 0 2537 53 162 Defaulted 0 2561 37 127 Mediated 0 2613 42 133 Heard 0 2577 137 341 Other 0 1564 95 187 All Outcomes 0 2613 48 156 All Cases: Count: 34711 Range: 0.000 - 2613.000; Mean: 48.453; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 156.112 Percentiles: 90th: 72.000; 95th: 175.000; 99th: 531.000 0.000 - 3.099: 123 | 3.099 - 7.400: 385 # 7.400 - 16.215: 17364 ##################################################### 16.215 - 34.281: 10222 ############################### 34.281 - 71.305: 3070 ######### 71.305 - 147.182: 1492 ##### 147.182 - 302.685: 971 ### 302.685 - 621.373: 714 ## 621.373 - 1274.493: 120 | 1274.493 - 2613.000: 179 # By Reason Cause: Count: 8011 Range: 0.000 - 2577.000; Mean: 87.923; Median: 24.000; Stddev: 228.210 Percentiles: 90th: 193.000; 95th: 364.000; 99th: 1528.000 0.000 - 3.093: 57 # 3.093 - 7.377: 127 ### 7.377 - 16.144: 2525 ##################################################### 16.144 - 34.086: 2332 ################################################# 34.086 - 70.805: 1164 ######################## 70.805 - 145.954: 766 ################ 145.954 - 299.751: 513 ########### 299.751 - 614.506: 339 ####### 614.506 - 1258.672: 74 ## 1258.672 - 2577.000: 94 ## Non-payment: Count: 22177 Range: 0.000 - 2613.000; Mean: 34.414; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 123.899 Percentiles: 90th: 39.000; 95th: 77.000; 99th: 413.000 0.000 - 3.099: 58 | 3.099 - 7.400: 236 # 7.400 - 16.215: 12985 ##################################################### 16.215 - 34.281: 6223 ######################### 34.281 - 71.305: 1455 ###### 71.305 - 147.182: 510 ## 147.182 - 302.685: 277 # 302.685 - 621.373: 282 # 621.373 - 1274.493: 38 | 1274.493 - 2613.000: 74 | No Fault: Count: 3123 Range: 0.000 - 2303.000; Mean: 39.521; Median: 18.000; Stddev: 108.192 Percentiles: 90th: 58.000; 95th: 139.000; 99th: 389.000 0.000 - 3.047: 3 | 3.047 - 7.191: 12 | 7.191 - 15.575: 1156 ############################################## 15.575 - 32.544: 1325 ##################################################### 32.544 - 66.882: 341 ############## 66.882 - 136.373: 119 ##### 136.373 - 277.001: 94 #### 277.001 - 561.590: 58 ## 561.590 - 1137.511: 2 | 1137.511 - 2303.000: 6 | Foreclosure: Count: 1395 Range: 0.000 - 2193.000; Mean: 64.725; Median: 19.000; Stddev: 156.649 Percentiles: 90th: 166.000; 95th: 281.000; 99th: 546.000 0.000 - 3.028: 5 # 3.028 - 7.111: 10 # 7.111 - 15.334: 459 ################################################# 15.334 - 31.894: 496 ##################################################### 31.894 - 65.242: 151 ################ 65.242 - 132.399: 92 ########## 132.399 - 267.642: 100 ########### 267.642 - 539.998: 63 ####### 539.998 - 1088.472: 8 # 1088.472 - 2193.000: 6 # Unknown/Other reason: Count: 5 Range: 9.000 - 330.000; Mean: 120.000; Median: 25.000; Stddev: 147.201 Percentiles: 90th: 330.000; 95th: 330.000; 99th: 330.000 9.000 - 13.190: 1 ##################################################### 13.190 - 19.136: 1 ##################################################### 19.136 - 27.573: 1 ##################################################### 27.573 - 232.263: 1 ##################################################### 232.263 - 330.000: 1 ##################################################### By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 7742 Range: 0.000 - 2537.000; Mean: 53.983; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 162.652 Percentiles: 90th: 90.000; 95th: 231.000; 99th: 661.000 0.000 - 3.087: 49 # 3.087 - 7.351: 216 ### 7.351 - 16.064: 3973 ##################################################### 16.064 - 33.867: 1853 ######################### 33.867 - 70.246: 728 ########## 70.246 - 144.582: 374 ##### 144.582 - 296.477: 230 ### 296.477 - 606.854: 224 ### 606.854 - 1241.068: 52 # 1241.068 - 2537.000: 38 # Defaulted: Count: 7988 Range: 0.000 - 2561.000; Mean: 37.989; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 127.619 Percentiles: 90th: 48.000; 95th: 113.000; 99th: 416.000 0.000 - 3.091: 12 | 3.091 - 7.366: 34 | 7.366 - 16.112: 4183 ##################################################### 16.112 - 33.999: 2606 ################################# 33.999 - 70.582: 578 ####### 70.582 - 145.406: 253 ### 145.406 - 298.443: 164 ## 298.443 - 611.448: 121 ## 611.448 - 1251.634: 5 | 1251.634 - 2561.000: 30 | Mediated: Count: 17222 Range: 0.000 - 2613.000; Mean: 42.147; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 133.267 Percentiles: 90th: 60.000; 95th: 134.000; 99th: 462.000 0.000 - 3.099: 22 | 3.099 - 7.400: 76 | 7.400 - 16.215: 8769 ##################################################### 16.215 - 34.281: 5300 ################################ 34.281 - 71.305: 1524 ######### 71.305 - 147.182: 685 #### 147.182 - 302.685: 433 ### 302.685 - 621.373: 244 # 621.373 - 1274.493: 48 | 1274.493 - 2613.000: 68 | Heard: Count: 1576 Range: 0.000 - 2577.000; Mean: 137.781; Median: 28.000; Stddev: 341.839 Percentiles: 90th: 330.000; 95th: 452.000; 99th: 2081.000 0.000 - 3.093: 38 ##### 3.093 - 7.377: 59 ######## 7.377 - 16.144: 398 ##################################################### 16.144 - 34.086: 365 ################################################# 34.086 - 70.805: 239 ################################ 70.805 - 145.954: 159 ##################### 145.954 - 299.751: 133 ################## 299.751 - 614.506: 120 ################ 614.506 - 1258.672: 12 ## 1258.672 - 2577.000: 46 ###### Other Outcome: Count: 183 Range: 0.000 - 1564.000; Mean: 95.497; Median: 35.000; Stddev: 187.161 Percentiles: 90th: 228.000; 95th: 388.000; 99th: 1204.000 0.000 - 6.266: 2 ## 6.266 - 12.199: 34 ########################################## 12.199 - 22.977: 19 ####################### 22.977 - 42.555: 43 ##################################################### 42.555 - 78.120: 33 ######################################### 78.120 - 142.725: 17 ##################### 142.725 - 260.083: 16 #################### 260.083 - 473.268: 10 ############ 473.268 - 860.527: 2 ## 860.527 - 1564.000: 3 #### -- 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/.