Outcomes for March 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: 2018-03-01 Search Period End: 2018-03-31 Earliest Case: 2018-03-01 Latest Case: 2018-03-30 Total Cases: 2998 Total Transfers: 82 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 33.4% Of those, percentage pro se: 60.4% Most common cause: Non-payment Least stable municipality/neighborhood: Florence Least stable with 10+ filings: North Adams Least stable with 100+ filings: New Bedford Least stable county: Berkshire Cases per day: 99 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 473 15.8% eastern 472 15.7% central 460 15.3% southeast 430 14.3% western 390 13.0% quincy district 113 3.8% cambridge district 50 1.7% malden district 43 1.4% somerville district 37 1.2% chelsea district 34 1.1% barnstable district 33 1.1% dedham district 31 1.0% northern berkshire district 29 1.0% stoughton district 29 1.0% lynn district 26 0.9% springfield district 25 0.8% wrentham district 23 0.8% fall river district 19 0.6% pittsfield district 19 0.6% attleboro district 17 0.6% lowell district 17 0.6% woburn district 15 0.5% bmc west roxbury 14 0.5% orleans district 13 0.4% brookline district 10 0.3% framingham district 10 0.3% lawrence district 10 0.3% bmc dorchester 9 0.3% bmc east boston 9 0.3% fallmouth district 9 0.3% waltham district 9 0.3% brockton district 8 0.3% newton district 8 0.3% salem district 8 0.3% haverhill district 7 0.2% new bedford district 7 0.2% palmer district 7 0.2% edgartown district 6 0.2% wareham district 6 0.2% ayer district 5 0.2% bmc south boston 4 0.1% chicopee district 4 0.1% holyoke district 4 0.1% milford district 4 0.1% westfield district 4 0.1% concord district 3 0.1% natick district 3 0.1% newburyport district 3 0.1% peabody district 3 0.1% plymouth district 3 0.1% southern berkshire district 3 0.1% taunton district 3 0.1% bmc brighton 2 0.1% eastern hampshire district 2 0.1% gloucester district 2 0.1% greenfield district 2 0.1% hingham district 2 0.1% orange district 2 0.1% bmc roxbury 1 0.0% clinton district 1 0.0% nantucket district 1 0.0% westborough district 1 0.0% worcester district 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 1996 7 Natural Person 1002 2991 Total 2998 2998 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 66.6% 0.2% Natural Person 33.4% 99.8% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 1834 162 1996 Optional 397 605 1002 Total 2231 767 2998 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 61.2% 5.4% 66.6% Optional 13.2% 20.2% 33.4% Total 74.4% 25.6% 100.0% Defendant Representation Note: Limited Assistance Representation should be reflected here. Tenancy preservation or other social services may not be reflected. (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 2 5 7 Optional 179 2812 2991 Total 181 2817 2998 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% Optional 6.0% 93.8% 99.8% Total 6.0% 94.0% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 208 6.9% 1 2005 66.9% 2 631 21.0% 3 95 3.2% 4 39 1.3% 5 12 0.4% 6 5 0.2% 7 3 0.1% Total 2998 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 1650 55.0% Cause 1042 34.8% No Fault 196 6.5% Foreclosure 108 3.6% Unknown/Other 2 0.1% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Florence 738 7 Chestnut Hill 282 6 North Adams 255 35 Charlestown 173 29 Hyannis 170 24 Thorndike 144 1 East Brookfield 137 3 Holyoke 127 51 New Bedford 122 116 Springfield 121 186 Turners Falls 121 5 Ashley Falls 120 1 Indian Orchard 119 12 Dorchester 118 109 Worcester 112 204 Winchendon 106 11 Vineyard Haven 105 2 Lawrence 104 80 East Falmouth 103 6 Fall River 103 92 Three Rivers 102 3 Ware 101 10 New Braintree 100 1 Leeds 98 1 South Deerfield 97 2 Fitchburg 94 38 Randolph 93 30 West Dennis 91 2 Pittsfield 89 40 Buzzards Bay 87 3 Athol 86 10 Lynn 86 78 Southbridge 83 14 Lowell 79 85 Royalston 79 1 South Easton 78 8 Millers Falls 77 1 Chelsea 76 27 Mattapan 76 28 Brockton 75 71 Framingham 74 51 Palmer 74 9 Amesbury 73 12 Middleborough 73 17 Stoughton 70 19 Greenfield 68 12 Ayer 67 5 Whately 66 1 Roslindale 65 19 Everett 64 27 Chicopee 63 35 Haverhill 62 38 Millville 62 2 Otis 62 1 Marstons Mills 61 3 Cotuit 60 2 Millbury 60 8 Taunton 60 34 Woburn 60 23 Phillipston 59 1 Adams 58 5 Beverly 58 23 Salem 58 24 Dracut 57 17 Brighton 56 25 Danvers 56 15 Hyde Park 56 19 South Boston 56 19 Brimfield 55 2 Cambridge 55 58 Leverett 54 1 Webster 53 9 Norwood 52 15 Pepperell 52 6 Feeding Hills 51 6 Marlborough 51 20 Orange 51 4 Spencer 51 6 Stockbridge 51 1 Millis 50 4 Roxbury 50 30 Edgartown 49 2 Hinsdale 49 1 North Truro 49 1 Westborough 49 9 Gloucester 48 14 Allston 47 14 Douglas 47 4 Bernardston 46 1 East Boston 46 19 West Wareham 46 1 Avon 45 2 Malden 45 27 Clinton 44 6 Gardner 44 9 Medford 44 25 North Oxford 44 1 Oak Bluffs 44 2 Quincy 43 40 Rockport 43 3 Seekonk 43 6 Swampscott 43 6 Revere 42 22 Foxborough 41 7 Brewster 40 4 Dorchester Center 40 37 Yarmouth Port 39 2 Hull 38 4 Canton 37 8 Holbrook 37 4 North Falmouth 37 1 Raynham 37 5 West Yarmouth 37 2 South Attleboro 36 3 Wareham 36 8 Wellfleet 36 1 West Tisbury 36 1 Methuen 35 17 Peabody 35 18 Plympton 35 1 Carver 34 4 North Attleborough 34 10 Winthrop 34 6 Bridgewater 33 9 Hopedale 33 2 Somerset 33 6 Ashby 32 1 Burlington 32 8 Milford 32 9 Dennis Port 31 1 Easthampton 31 5 Lexington 31 10 Brookfield 29 1 Hatfield 29 1 Nahant 29 1 Westfield 29 12 Ludlow 28 6 Osterville 28 1 Rockland 28 5 Whitinsville 28 2 Attleborough 27 12 Braintree 27 10 South Dennis 27 1 Whitman 27 4 East Weymouth 26 14 Roxbury Crossing 26 16 Lynnfield 25 3 Somerville 25 19 South Yarmouth 25 3 Dedham 24 6 Georgetown 24 2 Lancaster 24 2 Leominster 24 10 North Dighton 23 1 Waltham 23 14 Wayland 23 3 Blackstone 22 2 East Wareham 22 5 Forestdale 22 1 Franklin 22 7 Ipswich 22 3 South Grafton 22 1 East Bridgewater 21 3 North Andover 21 6 North Brookfield 21 1 Northborough 21 3 West Springfield 21 6 Belchertown 20 3 Eastham 20 1 Wakefield 20 5 Wenham 20 1 Weymouth 20 11 Hampden 19 1 Hanson 19 2 Maynard 19 2 Plymouth 19 11 Brookline 18 11 Jamaica Plain 18 7 South Barre 18 1 Westford 18 4 Dudley 17 2 Newburyport 17 3 Rowley 17 1 South Hadley 17 3 Tewksbury 17 5 Ashburnham 16 1 Chatham 16 1 Harwich 16 2 Lee 16 1 West Roxbury 16 5 Berkley 15 1 Charlton 15 2 Lincoln 15 1 Medway 15 2 Natick 15 5 Saugus 15 4 Bradford 14 2 Centerville 14 2 Great Barrington 14 1 Melrose 14 4 South Dartmouth 14 5 Uxbridge 14 2 Amherst 13 5 Cohasset 13 1 Hopkinton 13 2 Onset 13 3 Stoneham 13 3 West Boylston 13 1 Westwood 13 2 Abington 12 2 Auburn 12 2 Bellingham 12 2 Boston 12 78 Easton 12 3 Mansfield 12 3 North Grafton 12 1 Rutland 12 1 Templeton 12 1 Watertown 12 4 Westport 12 2 Grafton 11 2 Marshfield 11 3 Pembroke 11 2 Sutton 11 1 Auburndale 10 1 Marblehead 10 2 Needham Heights 10 3 Northampton 10 3 Southborough 10 1 Southwick 10 1 Sturbridge 10 1 Acushnet 9 1 Cherry Valley 9 1 E. Boston 9 4 Lakeville 9 1 Leicester 9 1 Nantucket 9 1 Sandwich 9 2 Wrentham 9 1 Belmont 8 2 Chelmsford 8 3 Groton 8 1 Medfield 8 1 North Dartmouth 8 2 Rehoboth 8 1 Walpole 8 2 West Harwich 8 1 Agawam 7 2 Bedford 7 1 Billerica 7 3 Mashpee 7 1 North Easton 7 1 Wilbraham 7 1 Ashland 6 1 East Longmeadow 6 1 Fairhaven 6 1 Falmouth 6 2 North Reading 6 1 Bourne 5 1 Charleston 5 1 Holden 5 1 Hudson 5 1 Norton 5 1 Shrewsbury 5 2 Sudbury 5 1 Acton 4 1 Arlington 4 2 Hingham 4 1 Newton Highlands 4 4 Reading 4 1 Wilmington 4 1 Andover 3 1 South Weymouth 3 2 Newton Lower Falls 1 1 North Weymouth 1 1 (not given) 0 23 span 0 4 Rate per 100,000 residents based on 2010 census. Municipalities do not appear if no evictions filed. Where neighborhoods are commonly recognized as municipalities, data appears under the neighborhood rather than the legal entity (e.g., "Roxbury" is separate from "Boston".) Where municipalities have alternate spellings (e.g., Marlboro for Marlborough), totals appear under the long form. Efforts are made to correct clerical errors in the court database, but clerical errors may appear. Rate per 100,000 County Renter Households Count Berkshire 532 86 Hampden 471 335 Bristol 381 314 Barnstable 367 71 Plymouth 363 157 Worcester 354 394 Essex 324 357 Suffolk 260 514 Franklin 256 27 Norfolk 247 211 Hampshire 206 38 Middlesex 196 459 Dukes 170 7 Nantucket 28 1 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 2569 85.7% Ongoing/Error 429 14.3% 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 1213 47.2% Dismissed 620 24.1% Defaulted 612 23.8% Heard 108 4.2% Other 16 0.6% Total 2569 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 134 140 263 69 16 Foreclosure 20 45 40 2 0 No Fault 32 35 129 0 0 Non-payment 434 392 781 37 0 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 0 0 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 5.2% 5.4% 10.2% 2.7% 0.6% Foreclosure 0.8% 1.8% 1.6% 0.1% 0.0% No Fault 1.2% 1.4% 5.0% 0.0% 0.0% Non-payment 16.9% 15.3% 30.4% 1.4% 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 1358 52.9% 45.3% Judgment inferred 478 18.6% 15.9% No judgment 733 28.5% 24.4% Total 2569 100.0% 61.2% Judgments by reason, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 347 13.5% 0 23,450 2,348 2,778 815,076 Foreclosure 64 2.5% 0 6,560 569 1,319 36,478 No fault 91 3.5% 0 10,800 1,451 1,656 132,128 Non-payment 856 33.3% 0 34,510 3,328 3,137 2,849,536 Subtotal 1358 52.9% 0 34,510 2,822 3,004 3,833,220 Judgments by outcome, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 79 3.1% 0 12,356 2,417 2,225 190,995 Defaulted 592 23.0% 0 22,274 2,659 2,834 1,574,432 Mediated 634 24.7% 0 34,510 2,944 3,109 1,867,011 Heard 37 1.4% 0 11,419 3,232 3,229 119,600 Other 16 0.6% 155 23,450 5,073 5,416 81,181 Subtotal 1358 52.9% 0 34,510 2,822 3,004 3,833,220 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 1434 78.1% 55.8% 47.8% unknown 397 21.6% 15.5% 13.2% Total 1836 100.0% 71.5% 61.2% Judgments All Cases: Count: 1358 Range: 0.000 - 34510.810; Mean: 2822.695; Median: 2069.915; Stddev: 3005.527 Percentiles: 90th: 6285.000; 95th: 8200.320; 99th: 13699.410 0.000 - 152.337: 7 # 152.337 - 278.909: 188 ################################ 278.909 - 509.959: 51 ######### 509.959 - 931.727: 95 ################ 931.727 - 1701.643: 188 ################################ 1701.643 - 3107.081: 312 ##################################################### 3107.081 - 5672.632: 290 ################################################# 5672.632 - 10355.906: 138 ####################### 10355.906 - 18904.967: 31 ##### 18904.967 - 34510.810: 4 # Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 347 Range: 0.000 - 23450.000; Mean: 2348.925; Median: 1450.590; Stddev: 2782.520 Percentiles: 90th: 5818.230; 95th: 7245.000; 99th: 12429.690 0.000 - 209.050: 48 ############################################# 209.050 - 353.700: 24 ####################### 353.700 - 597.961: 13 ############ 597.961 - 1010.430: 22 ##################### 1010.430 - 1706.943: 42 ######################################## 1706.943 - 2883.105: 56 ##################################################### 2883.105 - 4869.220: 53 ################################################## 4869.220 - 8223.058: 40 ###################################### 8223.058 - 13886.491: 11 ########## 13886.491 - 23450.000: 2 ## Foreclosure: Count: 64 Range: 0.000 - 6560.300; Mean: 569.979; Median: 205.810; Stddev: 1329.495 Percentiles: 90th: 336.430; 95th: 4069.020; 99th: 6560.300 0.000 - 206.554: 33 ##################################################### 206.554 - 303.637: 18 ############################# 303.637 - 446.129: 3 ##### 446.129 - 3044.706: 1 ## 3044.706 - 4469.323: 1 ## 4469.323 - 6560.300: 3 ##### No Fault: Count: 91 Range: 0.000 - 10800.000; Mean: 1451.966; Median: 851.600; Stddev: 1665.786 Percentiles: 90th: 3466.460; 95th: 3918.260; 99th: 10800.000 0.000 - 257.847: 29 ##################################################### 257.847 - 390.823: 2 #### 390.823 - 592.112: 1 ## 592.112 - 896.808: 7 ############# 896.808 - 1358.033: 5 ######### 1358.033 - 2056.201: 15 ########################### 2056.201 - 3113.036: 11 #################### 3113.036 - 4712.792: 12 ###################### 4712.792 - 7134.381: 1 ## 7134.381 - 10800.000: 1 ## Non-payment: Count: 856 Range: 0.000 - 34510.810; Mean: 3328.897; Median: 2571.740; Stddev: 3139.092 Percentiles: 90th: 6906.600; 95th: 9200.000; 99th: 15232.540 0.000 - 152.337: 4 # 152.337 - 278.909: 45 ########## 278.909 - 509.959: 32 ####### 509.959 - 931.727: 65 ############### 931.727 - 1701.643: 128 ############################## 1701.643 - 3107.081: 229 ##################################################### 3107.081 - 5672.632: 215 ################################################## 5672.632 - 10355.906: 103 ######################## 10355.906 - 18904.967: 26 ###### 18904.967 - 34510.810: 3 # Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 79 Range: 0.000 - 12356.310; Mean: 2417.661; Median: 1888.820; Stddev: 2239.967 Percentiles: 90th: 4887.740; 95th: 6787.520; 99th: 12356.310 0.000 - 237.760: 11 ################################ 237.760 - 369.170: 3 ######### 369.170 - 572.907: 2 ###### 572.907 - 888.779: 7 ##################### 888.779 - 1378.502: 4 ############ 1378.502 - 2137.763: 18 ##################################################### 2137.763 - 3314.912: 9 ########################### 3314.912 - 5139.949: 17 ################################################## 5139.949 - 7969.464: 5 ############### 7969.464 - 12356.310: 2 ###### Defaulted: Count: 592 Range: 0.000 - 22274.620; Mean: 2659.514; Median: 1900.100; Stddev: 2836.734 Percentiles: 90th: 6090.000; 95th: 7983.170; 99th: 13834.050 0.000 - 233.539: 89 ############################################# 233.539 - 388.000: 28 ############## 388.000 - 644.186: 22 ########### 644.186 - 1069.089: 45 ####################### 1069.089 - 1773.823: 84 ########################################## 1773.823 - 2942.675: 106 ##################################################### 2942.675 - 4881.305: 105 ##################################################### 4881.305 - 8096.666: 67 ################################## 8096.666 - 13429.582: 21 ########### 13429.582 - 22274.620: 7 #### Mediated: Count: 634 Range: 0.000 - 34510.810; Mean: 2944.813; Median: 2284.135; Stddev: 3111.967 Percentiles: 90th: 6215.000; 95th: 8279.890; 99th: 13699.410 0.000 - 152.337: 5 ## 152.337 - 278.909: 67 ######################## 278.909 - 509.959: 26 ######### 509.959 - 931.727: 46 ################ 931.727 - 1701.643: 79 ############################ 1701.643 - 3107.081: 149 ##################################################### 3107.081 - 5672.632: 150 ##################################################### 5672.632 - 10355.906: 65 ####################### 10355.906 - 18904.967: 15 ##### 18904.967 - 34510.810: 2 # Heard: Count: 37 Range: 0.000 - 11419.140; Mean: 3232.437; Median: 2110.000; Stddev: 3273.708 Percentiles: 90th: 8863.300; 95th: 9866.400; 99th: 11419.140 0.000 - 281.114: 3 ####################### 281.114 - 641.082: 2 ############### 641.082 - 967.665: 1 ######## 967.665 - 1460.358: 3 ####################### 1460.358 - 2203.649: 7 ##################################################### 2203.649 - 3325.002: 3 ####################### 3325.002 - 5016.709: 3 ####################### 5016.709 - 7568.870: 6 ############################################# 7568.870 - 11419.140: 4 ############################## Other Outcome: Count: 16 Range: 155.500 - 23450.000; Mean: 5073.821; Median: 2996.080; Stddev: 5594.000 Percentiles: 90th: 8454.930; 95th: 23450.000; 99th: 23450.000 155.500 - 257.273: 1 ############# 257.273 - 1159.842: 1 ############# 1159.842 - 1914.746: 2 ########################### 1914.746 - 3160.568: 4 ##################################################### 3160.568 - 5216.558: 3 ######################################## 5216.558 - 8609.571: 4 ##################################################### 8609.571 - 23450.000: 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 1327 72.3% 51.7% 44.3% Issued 1205 65.6% 46.9% 40.2% Levied 276 15.0% 10.7% 9.2% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 33 12.0% 1.8% 1.3% 1.1% Foreclosure 38 13.8% 2.1% 1.5% 1.3% No Fault 18 6.5% 1.0% 0.7% 0.6% Non-payment 187 67.8% 10.2% 7.3% 6.2% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 276 100.0% 15.0% 10.7% 9.2% 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 25 9.1% 1.4% 1.0% 0.8% Defaulted 103 37.3% 5.6% 4.0% 3.4% Mediated 143 51.8% 7.8% 5.6% 4.8% Heard 5 1.8% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Outcomes 276 100.0% 15.0% 10.7% 9.2% 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 38 108 35.2% Non-payment 187 1650 11.3% No Fault 18 196 9.2% Cause 33 1042 3.2% Unknown/Other 0 2 0.0% Percentage chance is not intended to be summed across reasons. Conditional probabilities: 'Given a case ends with X, what are the odds of a forced move-out?' Levies Filings Percentage Chance Defaulted 103 612 16.8% Mediated 143 1213 11.8% Heard 5 108 4.6% Dismissed 25 620 4.0% Other 0 16 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 1 2537 78 218 Non-payment 0 2516 36 136 No Fault 0 496 43 91 Foreclosure 7 2193 64 226 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 0 All Reasons 0 2537 48 163 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 2 2537 58 205 Defaulted 7 2047 34 100 Mediated 0 2225 39 117 Heard 1 2083 163 405 Other 10 388 63 96 All Outcomes 0 2537 48 163 All Cases: Count: 2569 Range: 0.000 - 2537.000; Mean: 48.100; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 163.269 Percentiles: 90th: 65.000; 95th: 176.000; 99th: 491.000 0.000 - 3.087: 10 | 3.087 - 7.351: 45 ## 7.351 - 16.064: 1328 ##################################################### 16.064 - 33.867: 699 ############################ 33.867 - 70.246: 247 ########## 70.246 - 144.582: 91 #### 144.582 - 296.477: 58 ## 296.477 - 606.854: 70 ### 606.854 - 1241.068: 7 | 1241.068 - 2537.000: 11 | By Reason Cause: Count: 622 Range: 1.000 - 2537.000; Mean: 78.633; Median: 24.000; Stddev: 218.726 Percentiles: 90th: 171.000; 95th: 324.000; 99th: 959.000 1.000 - 3.087: 7 ## 3.087 - 7.351: 15 #### 7.351 - 16.064: 189 ##################################################### 16.064 - 33.867: 183 ################################################### 33.867 - 70.246: 108 ############################## 70.246 - 144.582: 50 ############## 144.582 - 296.477: 36 ########## 296.477 - 606.854: 24 ####### 606.854 - 1241.068: 5 # 1241.068 - 2537.000: 5 # Non-payment: Count: 1644 Range: 0.000 - 2516.000; Mean: 36.109; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 136.920 Percentiles: 90th: 38.000; 95th: 77.000; 99th: 471.000 0.000 - 4.882: 4 | 4.882 - 10.531: 348 #################### 10.531 - 21.607: 915 ##################################################### 21.607 - 43.323: 236 ############## 43.323 - 85.896: 62 #### 85.896 - 169.364: 24 # 169.364 - 333.006: 16 # 333.006 - 653.833: 31 ## 653.833 - 1282.829: 1 | 1282.829 - 2516.000: 5 | No Fault: Count: 196 Range: 0.000 - 496.000; Mean: 43.015; Median: 17.000; Stddev: 91.812 Percentiles: 90th: 56.000; 95th: 249.000; 99th: 493.000 0.000 - 5.479: 1 # 5.479 - 9.493: 4 ### 9.493 - 15.996: 77 ##################################################### 15.996 - 26.528: 62 ########################################### 26.528 - 43.587: 26 ################## 43.587 - 71.217: 8 ###### 71.217 - 115.968: 4 ### 115.968 - 188.451: 2 # 188.451 - 305.850: 2 # 305.850 - 496.000: 9 ###### Foreclosure: Count: 107 Range: 7.000 - 2193.000; Mean: 64.159; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 226.781 Percentiles: 90th: 56.000; 95th: 316.000; 99th: 498.000 7.000 - 13.025: 24 ############################ 13.025 - 23.588: 46 ##################################################### 23.588 - 42.106: 20 ####################### 42.106 - 74.570: 7 ######## 74.570 - 131.484: 2 ## 131.484 - 231.262: 1 # 231.262 - 406.186: 3 ### 406.186 - 712.851: 3 ### 712.851 - 2193.000: 1 # By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 620 Range: 2.000 - 2537.000; Mean: 58.740; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 205.156 Percentiles: 90th: 78.000; 95th: 316.000; 99th: 497.000 2.000 - 4.887: 9 ## 4.887 - 10.550: 160 ################################# 10.550 - 21.664: 258 ##################################################### 21.664 - 43.470: 91 ################### 43.470 - 86.258: 43 ######### 86.258 - 170.216: 18 #### 170.216 - 334.955: 10 ## 334.955 - 658.201: 27 ###### 658.201 - 2537.000: 4 # Defaulted: Count: 612 Range: 7.000 - 2047.000; Mean: 34.299; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 100.528 Percentiles: 90th: 46.000; 95th: 87.000; 99th: 377.000 7.000 - 12.929: 143 ######################## 12.929 - 23.251: 320 ##################################################### 23.251 - 41.224: 75 ############ 41.224 - 72.517: 36 ###### 72.517 - 127.000: 14 ## 127.000 - 221.861: 11 ## 221.861 - 387.023: 7 # 387.023 - 674.588: 5 # 674.588 - 2047.000: 1 | Mediated: Count: 1213 Range: 0.000 - 2225.000; Mean: 39.190; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 117.757 Percentiles: 90th: 56.000; 95th: 137.000; 99th: 437.000 0.000 - 6.527: 4 | 6.527 - 13.163: 377 ###################################### 13.163 - 25.650: 524 ##################################################### 25.650 - 49.147: 169 ################# 49.147 - 93.361: 58 ###### 93.361 - 176.558: 31 ### 176.558 - 333.107: 23 ## 333.107 - 627.684: 19 ## 627.684 - 1181.983: 3 | 1181.983 - 2225.000: 2 | Heard: Count: 108 Range: 1.000 - 2083.000; Mean: 163.102; Median: 23.000; Stddev: 405.178 Percentiles: 90th: 420.000; 95th: 498.000; 99th: 2080.000 1.000 - 3.007: 2 #### 3.007 - 7.028: 9 ################## 7.028 - 15.084: 26 ################################################### 15.084 - 31.224: 27 ##################################################### 31.224 - 63.560: 11 ###################### 63.560 - 128.345: 9 ################## 128.345 - 258.142: 7 ############## 258.142 - 518.187: 12 ######################## 518.187 - 1039.186: 1 ## 1039.186 - 2083.000: 4 ######## Other Outcome: Count: 16 Range: 10.000 - 388.000; Mean: 63.000; Median: 38.000; Stddev: 96.515 Percentiles: 90th: 182.000; 95th: 388.000; 99th: 388.000 10.000 - 14.713: 4 ################################### 14.713 - 21.444: 1 ######### 21.444 - 31.060: 2 ################## 31.060 - 44.795: 6 ##################################################### 44.795 - 92.439: 1 ######### 92.439 - 189.651: 1 ######### 189.651 - 388.000: 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/.