Outcomes for September 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: 2018-09-01 Search Period End: 2018-09-30 Earliest Case: 2018-09-03 Latest Case: 2018-09-28 Total Cases: 3164 Total Transfers: 84 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 37.7% Of those, percentage pro se: 57.0% Most common cause: Non-payment Least stable municipality/neighborhood: Florence Least stable with 10+ filings: Springfield 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 495 15.6% western 490 15.5% central 488 15.4% eastern 414 13.1% southeast 380 12.0% metro south 164 5.2% quincy district 107 3.4% chelsea district 53 1.7% malden district 47 1.5% lynn district 36 1.1% cambridge district 29 0.9% somerville district 25 0.8% lowell district 24 0.8% pittsfield district 24 0.8% framingham district 22 0.7% springfield district 20 0.6% barnstable district 18 0.6% fall river district 18 0.6% northern berkshire district 18 0.6% dedham district 16 0.5% stoughton district 16 0.5% orleans district 15 0.5% waltham district 15 0.5% bmc dorchester 14 0.4% bmc east boston 13 0.4% woburn district 13 0.4% brockton district 12 0.4% salem district 11 0.3% attleboro district 10 0.3% haverhill district 10 0.3% newton district 10 0.3% wrentham district 10 0.3% bmc west roxbury 9 0.3% milford district 7 0.2% palmer district 7 0.2% ayer district 6 0.2% bmc south boston 6 0.2% chicopee district 6 0.2% fallmouth district 6 0.2% greenfield district 6 0.2% lawrence district 6 0.2% eastern hampshire district 5 0.2% northampton district 5 0.2% edgartown district 4 0.1% hingham district 4 0.1% holyoke district 4 0.1% new bedford district 4 0.1% plymouth district 4 0.1% taunton district 4 0.1% wareham district 4 0.1% westfield district 4 0.1% brookline district 3 0.1% concord district 3 0.1% nantucket district 3 0.1% orange district 3 0.1% peabody district 3 0.1% southern berkshire district 3 0.1% gloucester district 2 0.1% natick district 2 0.1% bmc central 1 0.0% marlborough district 1 0.0% newburyport district 1 0.0% westborough district 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 1972 15 Natural Person 1192 3149 Total 3164 3164 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 62.3% 0.5% Natural Person 37.7% 99.5% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 1875 97 1972 Optional 512 680 1192 Total 2387 777 3164 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 59.3% 3.1% 62.3% Optional 16.2% 21.5% 37.7% Total 75.4% 24.6% 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 6 9 15 Optional 186 2963 3149 Total 192 2972 3164 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.2% 0.3% 0.5% Optional 5.9% 93.6% 99.5% Total 6.1% 93.9% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 237 7.5% 1 2102 66.4% 2 650 20.5% 3 131 4.1% 4 32 1.0% 5 12 0.4% Total 3164 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 1710 54.0% Cause 1030 32.6% No Fault 302 9.5% Foreclosure 120 3.8% Unknown/Other 2 0.1% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Florence 632 6 Leeds 196 2 Springfield 163 250 Ware 151 15 Chestnut Hill 141 3 Leyden 140 1 Fall River 138 123 North Adams 138 19 Florida 132 1 Randolph 130 42 New Bedford 128 122 Dorchester 114 105 Webster 113 19 Lawrence 111 85 Worcester 111 201 Pittsfield 109 49 Holyoke 107 43 Adams 106 9 Vineyard Haven 105 2 Framingham 103 71 Stockbridge 102 2 New Salem 101 1 Chelsea 99 35 Lynn 99 90 Lowell 97 104 Southbridge 95 16 Ayer 94 7 Brockton 94 89 Dennis Port 94 3 Mattapan 93 34 Fitchburg 91 37 Chicopee 90 50 Indian Orchard 89 9 Athol 86 10 East Falmouth 86 5 Greenfield 85 15 Hyannis 85 12 Salem 84 35 West Springfield 84 24 Palmer 82 10 Petersham 81 1 Millers Falls 77 1 Hyde Park 74 25 Haverhill 72 44 Malden 70 42 Berlin 69 2 Feeding Hills 68 8 South Easton 68 7 Three Rivers 68 2 Dorchester Center 66 61 Charlestown 65 11 Foxborough 65 11 Everett 64 27 Mansfield 64 15 Marlborough 64 25 North Brookfield 64 3 Marstons Mills 61 3 Danvers 60 16 Roxbury 60 36 Taunton 60 34 Dalton 59 4 Gardner 59 12 Revere 59 31 Stoughton 59 16 Warren 58 3 Milford 57 16 Shelburne Falls 56 1 Quincy 55 51 South Barre 55 3 Middleborough 51 12 Newton Center 51 2 Orange 51 4 Seekonk 51 7 Abington 50 8 Brewster 50 5 Orleans 50 3 Hull 48 5 Salisbury 48 4 Turners Falls 48 2 Whitman 48 7 Belchertown 47 7 Bernardston 46 1 West Wareham 46 1 Avon 45 2 Forestdale 45 2 Blackstone 44 4 Clinton 44 6 Leominster 44 18 North Oxford 44 1 Beverly 43 17 Swampscott 43 6 Whitinsville 43 3 Gloucester 41 12 Roslindale 41 12 Maynard 39 4 Nantucket 39 4 Woburn 39 15 North Falmouth 37 1 Rutland 37 3 Waltham 36 22 Wellfleet 36 1 West Tisbury 36 1 Montague 35 3 Northborough 35 5 Peabody 35 18 Mendon 34 2 Pepperell 34 4 South Yarmouth 34 4 Spencer 34 4 Winthrop 34 6 Hopedale 33 2 Lee 33 2 Ashby 32 1 Auburndale 32 3 Canton 32 7 Westborough 32 6 Berkley 31 2 Kingston 31 4 Medway 31 4 Millville 31 1 Amesbury 30 5 Andover 30 10 Braintree 30 11 Sheffield 30 1 Somerville 30 23 Brighton 29 13 Brookfield 29 1 Buzzards Bay 29 1 Cambridge 29 31 Nahant 29 1 West Hatfield 29 1 Weymouth 29 16 Dedham 28 7 East Sandwich 28 1 North Billerica 28 3 Norwell 28 3 Osterville 28 1 South Hadley 28 5 Attleborough 27 12 Holbrook 27 3 Norwood 27 8 South Dennis 27 1 Sunderland 27 1 West Brookfield 27 1 Wrentham 27 3 Westfield 26 11 Fairhaven 25 4 Waban 25 2 Edgartown 24 1 Medford 24 14 Needham 24 7 Wakefield 24 6 Monson 23 2 Plymouth 23 13 South Boston 23 8 Stoneham 23 5 Bedford 22 3 Billerica 22 9 Millbury 22 3 Raynham 22 3 Saugus 22 6 Townsend 22 2 Jamaica Plain 21 8 Methuen 21 10 North Andover 21 6 Southwick 21 2 Allston 20 6 Bolton 20 1 Boxborough 20 1 East Freetown 20 1 Marblehead 20 4 North Reading 20 3 East Boston 19 8 East Longmeadow 19 3 Marshfield 19 5 Newtonville 19 1 Northbridge 19 3 West Roxbury 19 6 Winchendon 19 2 Ashland 18 3 Barre 18 1 Bellingham 18 3 Easthampton 18 3 Leicester 18 2 Natick 18 6 Swansea 18 3 West Yarmouth 18 1 Dudley 17 2 Rehoboth 17 2 Rockland 17 3 Rowley 17 1 Southampton 17 1 Burlington 16 4 Chatham 16 1 East Weymouth 16 9 Newton Upper Falls 16 1 South Lee 16 1 Topsfield 16 1 Amherst 15 6 East Taunton 15 1 Newbury 15 1 Roxbury Crossing 15 9 Watertown 15 5 Agawam 14 4 Centerville 14 2 Great Barrington 14 1 Melrose 14 4 Rockport 14 1 Dracut 13 4 North Attleborough 13 4 Onset 13 3 Tewksbury 13 4 Westminster 13 1 E. Boston 12 5 Hamilton 12 1 Millis 12 1 North Dartmouth 12 3 North Grafton 12 1 Plainville 12 1 Reading 12 3 South Attleboro 12 1 Templeton 12 1 Westport 12 2 Chelmsford 11 4 Littleton 11 1 Scituate 11 2 Sharon 11 2 Shrewsbury 11 4 Sutton 11 1 Boston 10 66 Hudson 10 2 Northampton 10 3 Norton 10 2 Southborough 10 1 Sturbridge 10 1 Acton 9 2 Acushnet 9 1 East Wareham 9 2 Falmouth 9 3 Lakeville 9 1 Ludlow 9 2 Wareham 9 2 Belmont 8 2 Groton 8 1 Medfield 8 1 Tyngsborough 8 1 West Harwich 8 1 Wilmington 8 2 Bradford 7 1 Charlton 7 1 Charlton City 7 1 Hanover 7 1 Holliston 7 1 Ipswich 7 1 Mashpee 7 1 Milton 7 2 North Easton 7 1 North Weymouth 7 4 Oxford 7 1 South Weymouth 7 4 Uxbridge 7 1 Auburn 6 1 Brookline 6 4 Duxbury 6 1 Franklin 6 2 Hopkinton 6 1 Lexington 6 2 Longmeadow 6 1 Westwood 6 1 Grafton 5 1 Pembroke 5 1 Somerset 5 1 Sudbury 5 1 Arlington 4 2 Hingham 4 1 Sandwich 4 1 Walpole 4 1 Bridgewater 3 1 South Dartmouth 2 1 Newton 1 1 Newton Highlands 1 1 (not given) 0 11 span 0 1 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 592 421 Berkshire 551 89 Bristol 427 352 Plymouth 382 165 Worcester 368 410 Essex 342 376 Franklin 284 30 Barnstable 274 53 Hampshire 266 49 Norfolk 265 226 Suffolk 245 485 Middlesex 209 488 Nantucket 113 4 Dukes 97 4 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 2747 86.8% Ongoing/Error 417 13.2% Cases not yet disposed were either ongoing at time of reading or left open due to clerical error only. Note that agreements for judgment may not all be filed properly, and that mediations may be undercounted. By outcome, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Mediated 1346 49.0% Defaulted 636 23.2% Dismissed 617 22.5% Heard 129 4.7% Other 19 0.7% Total 2747 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 132 137 262 78 19 Foreclosure 32 39 39 10 0 No Fault 55 46 184 14 0 Non-payment 398 414 861 27 0 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 0 0 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 4.8% 5.0% 9.5% 2.8% 0.7% Foreclosure 1.2% 1.4% 1.4% 0.4% 0.0% No Fault 2.0% 1.7% 6.7% 0.5% 0.0% Non-payment 14.5% 15.1% 31.3% 1.0% 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 1389 50.6% 43.9% Judgment inferred 550 20.0% 17.4% No judgment 808 29.4% 25.5% Total 2747 100.0% 61.3% Judgments by reason, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 317 11.5% 0 34,417 2,725 3,991 863,875 Foreclosure 56 2.0% 0 30,891 1,603 5,459 89,803 No fault 119 4.3% 0 10,714 1,622 1,883 193,135 Non-payment 897 32.7% 0 49,622 3,345 3,375 3,000,600 Subtotal 1389 50.6% 0 49,622 2,985 3,582 4,147,414 Judgments by outcome, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 63 2.3% 0 9,311 2,249 2,167 141,716 Defaulted 607 22.1% 0 49,622 3,046 3,840 1,849,114 Mediated 647 23.6% 0 28,500 2,899 3,073 1,876,236 Heard 53 1.9% 0 34,417 4,377 6,462 231,983 Other 19 0.7% 245 10,695 2,545 2,384 48,363 Subtotal 1389 50.6% 0 49,622 2,985 3,582 4,147,414 By prevailing party, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed defendant 8 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% plaintiff 1453 74.9% 52.9% 45.9% unknown 478 24.7% 17.4% 15.1% Total 1939 100.0% 70.6% 61.3% Judgments All Cases: Count: 1389 Range: 0.000 - 49622.820; Mean: 2985.900; Median: 2022.470; Stddev: 3583.899 Percentiles: 90th: 6302.890; 95th: 9076.690; 99th: 16325.000 0.000 - 100.480: 3 | 100.480 - 200.927: 89 ############# 200.927 - 400.797: 108 ################ 400.797 - 798.499: 93 ############# 798.499 - 1589.853: 229 ################################# 1589.853 - 3164.499: 367 ##################################################### 3164.499 - 6297.747: 319 ############################################## 6297.747 - 12532.322: 107 ############### 12532.322 - 24937.952: 27 #### 24937.952 - 49622.820: 5 # Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 317 Range: 0.000 - 34417.140; Mean: 2725.158; Median: 1435.400; Stddev: 3997.368 Percentiles: 90th: 6077.150; 95th: 11052.000; 99th: 16325.000 0.000 - 96.834: 2 ## 96.834 - 186.678: 18 ################ 186.678 - 359.027: 34 ############################## 359.027 - 689.648: 21 ################## 689.648 - 1323.887: 41 #################################### 1323.887 - 2540.561: 61 ##################################################### 2540.561 - 4874.534: 58 ################################################## 4874.534 - 9351.850: 29 ######################### 9351.850 - 17940.786: 17 ############### 17940.786 - 34417.140: 3 ### Foreclosure: Count: 56 Range: 0.000 - 30891.370; Mean: 1603.639; Median: 205.000; Stddev: 5508.917 Percentiles: 90th: 1031.250; 95th: 17393.720; 99th: 30891.370 0.000 - 298.864: 45 ##################################################### 298.864 - 500.860: 2 ## 500.860 - 1404.723: 1 # 1404.723 - 3936.466: 1 # 3936.466 - 6588.849: 1 # 6588.849 - 18457.340: 1 # 18457.340 - 30891.370: 2 ## No Fault: Count: 119 Range: 0.000 - 10714.980; Mean: 1622.983; Median: 1002.380; Stddev: 1891.274 Percentiles: 90th: 3841.260; 95th: 6134.750; 99th: 7580.010 0.000 - 216.420: 34 ##################################################### 216.420 - 334.260: 5 ######## 334.260 - 515.967: 6 ######### 515.967 - 796.158: 4 ###### 796.158 - 1228.208: 12 ################### 1228.208 - 1894.426: 11 ################# 1894.426 - 2921.726: 19 ############################## 2921.726 - 4505.811: 15 ####################### 4505.811 - 6948.453: 4 ###### 6948.453 - 10714.980: 4 ###### Non-payment: Count: 897 Range: 0.000 - 49622.820; Mean: 3345.151; Median: 2515.990; Stddev: 3377.643 Percentiles: 90th: 6811.490; 95th: 9076.690; 99th: 15399.600 0.000 - 101.608: 1 | 101.608 - 202.920: 17 ### 202.920 - 404.264: 35 ####### 404.264 - 804.411: 61 ############ 804.411 - 1599.649: 163 ################################ 1599.649 - 3180.083: 274 ##################################################### 3180.083 - 6320.990: 244 ############################################### 6320.990 - 12563.135: 82 ################ 12563.135 - 24968.589: 17 ### 24968.589 - 49622.820: 2 | Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 63 Range: 0.000 - 9311.890; Mean: 2249.475; Median: 1435.400; Stddev: 2184.735 Percentiles: 90th: 6252.000; 95th: 7063.440; 99th: 9311.890 0.000 - 121.925: 1 #### 121.925 - 197.824: 2 ######### 197.824 - 320.584: 7 ############################### 320.584 - 519.142: 4 ################## 519.142 - 840.296: 4 ################## 840.296 - 1359.743: 12 ##################################################### 1359.743 - 2199.915: 7 ############################### 2199.915 - 3558.839: 12 ##################################################### 3558.839 - 5756.811: 6 ########################### 5756.811 - 9311.890: 7 ############################### Defaulted: Count: 607 Range: 0.000 - 49622.820; Mean: 3046.317; Median: 1967.570; Stddev: 3843.230 Percentiles: 90th: 6916.770; 95th: 9291.100; 99th: 15399.600 0.000 - 252.435: 86 ################################# 252.435 - 454.526: 27 ########## 454.526 - 817.767: 35 ############## 817.767 - 1470.660: 90 ################################### 1470.660 - 2644.176: 115 ############################################ 2644.176 - 4753.466: 137 ##################################################### 4753.466 - 8544.724: 66 ########################## 8544.724 - 15359.168: 34 ############# 15359.168 - 27607.517: 5 ## 27607.517 - 49622.820: 2 # Mediated: Count: 647 Range: 0.000 - 28500.000; Mean: 2899.902; Median: 2187.370; Stddev: 3075.914 Percentiles: 90th: 6046.800; 95th: 8284.760; 99th: 15395.520 0.000 - 95.006: 2 # 95.006 - 179.729: 9 ### 179.729 - 339.218: 51 ############### 339.218 - 639.451: 30 ######### 639.451 - 1204.633: 76 ###################### 1204.633 - 2268.573: 139 ######################################## 2268.573 - 4271.412: 182 ##################################################### 4271.412 - 8041.705: 100 ############################# 8041.705 - 15139.182: 26 ######## 15139.182 - 28500.000: 7 ## Heard: Count: 53 Range: 0.000 - 34417.140; Mean: 4377.038; Median: 1996.060; Stddev: 6524.712 Percentiles: 90th: 12806.880; 95th: 16325.000; 99th: 34417.140 0.000 - 302.122: 8 ############################################### 302.122 - 511.826: 2 ############ 511.826 - 866.605: 1 ###### 866.605 - 1466.825: 4 ######################## 1466.825 - 2482.284: 9 ##################################################### 2482.284 - 4200.250: 8 ############################################### 4200.250 - 7106.727: 7 ######################################### 7106.727 - 12023.942: 1 ###### 12023.942 - 20342.946: 5 ############################# 20342.946 - 34417.140: 2 ############ Other Outcome: Count: 19 Range: 245.000 - 10695.180; Mean: 2545.461; Median: 1814.140; Stddev: 2449.502 Percentiles: 90th: 5430.130; 95th: 10695.180; 99th: 10695.180 245.000 - 357.727: 1 ############# 357.727 - 522.111: 2 ########################### 522.111 - 1111.378: 3 ######################################## 1111.378 - 1621.116: 2 ########################### 1621.116 - 2364.436: 4 ##################################################### 2364.436 - 3448.377: 3 ######################################## 3448.377 - 5029.023: 2 ########################### 5029.023 - 7333.987: 1 ############# 7333.987 - 10695.180: 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 1359 70.1% 49.5% 43.0% Issued 1195 61.6% 43.5% 37.8% Levied 278 14.3% 10.1% 8.8% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 26 9.4% 1.3% 0.9% 0.8% Foreclosure 21 7.6% 1.1% 0.8% 0.7% No Fault 26 9.4% 1.3% 0.9% 0.8% Non-payment 205 73.7% 10.6% 7.5% 6.5% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 278 100.0% 14.3% 10.1% 8.8% Read as X% of cases filed are levied for nonpayment, for example. Levied by outcome: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Dismissed 25 9.0% 1.3% 0.9% 0.8% Defaulted 92 33.1% 4.7% 3.3% 2.9% Mediated 155 55.8% 8.0% 5.6% 4.9% Heard 6 2.2% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Outcomes 278 100.0% 14.3% 10.1% 8.8% Read as X% of cases filed are levied following default, for example. Conditional probabilities: 'Given a case is about X, what are the odds of a forced move-out?' Levies Filings Percentage Chance Foreclosure 21 120 17.5% Non-payment 205 1710 12.0% No Fault 26 302 8.6% Cause 26 1030 2.5% 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 92 636 14.5% Mediated 155 1346 11.5% Heard 6 129 4.7% Dismissed 25 617 4.1% Other 0 19 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 1722 83 196 Non-payment 0 2218 28 101 No Fault 0 388 38 59 Foreclosure 0 662 83 121 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 0 All Reasons 0 2218 44 129 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 3 1721 51 123 Defaulted 3 1708 31 85 Mediated 0 2218 41 131 Heard 0 1709 99 226 Other 9 1204 130 303 All Outcomes 0 2218 44 129 All Cases: Count: 2747 Range: 0.000 - 2218.000; Mean: 44.795; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 129.840 Percentiles: 90th: 77.000; 95th: 173.000; 99th: 462.000 0.000 - 3.032: 20 # 3.032 - 7.129: 38 ## 7.129 - 15.390: 1223 ##################################################### 15.390 - 32.043: 907 ####################################### 32.043 - 65.618: 245 ########### 65.618 - 133.309: 135 ###### 133.309 - 269.782: 84 #### 269.782 - 544.924: 68 ### 544.924 - 1099.638: 9 | 1099.638 - 2218.000: 10 | By Reason Cause: Count: 628 Range: 0.000 - 1722.000; Mean: 83.354; Median: 23.000; Stddev: 196.584 Percentiles: 90th: 197.000; 95th: 364.000; 99th: 1011.000 0.000 - 2.931: 4 # 2.931 - 6.728: 3 # 6.728 - 14.192: 167 ############################################### 14.192 - 28.863: 189 ##################################################### 28.863 - 57.703: 100 ############################ 57.703 - 114.394: 58 ################ 114.394 - 225.834: 50 ############## 225.834 - 444.897: 31 ######### 444.897 - 875.516: 15 #### 875.516 - 1722.000: 8 ## Non-payment: Count: 1700 Range: 0.000 - 2218.000; Mean: 28.959; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 101.998 Percentiles: 90th: 37.000; 95th: 65.000; 99th: 297.000 0.000 - 3.032: 16 # 3.032 - 7.129: 26 ## 7.129 - 15.390: 893 ##################################################### 15.390 - 32.043: 562 ################################# 32.043 - 65.618: 115 ####### 65.618 - 133.309: 40 ## 133.309 - 269.782: 20 # 269.782 - 544.924: 21 # 544.924 - 2218.000: 4 | No Fault: Count: 299 Range: 0.000 - 388.000; Mean: 38.234; Median: 19.000; Stddev: 59.938 Percentiles: 90th: 79.000; 95th: 204.000; 99th: 343.000 0.000 - 13.421: 68 ############################################ 13.421 - 19.796: 81 ##################################################### 19.796 - 28.991: 64 ########################################## 28.991 - 42.249: 36 ######################## 42.249 - 61.370: 17 ########### 61.370 - 88.943: 6 #### 88.943 - 128.707: 6 #### 128.707 - 186.051: 5 ### 186.051 - 268.746: 9 ###### 268.746 - 388.000: 6 #### Foreclosure: Count: 120 Range: 0.000 - 662.000; Mean: 83.692; Median: 23.500; Stddev: 121.688 Percentiles: 90th: 267.000; 95th: 365.000; 99th: 440.000 0.000 - 15.573: 35 ##################################################### 15.573 - 23.970: 24 #################################### 23.970 - 36.621: 15 ####################### 36.621 - 55.681: 7 ########### 55.681 - 84.399: 6 ######### 84.399 - 127.666: 5 ######## 127.666 - 192.855: 10 ############### 192.855 - 291.072: 6 ######### 291.072 - 439.049: 9 ############## 439.049 - 662.000: 2 ### By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 617 Range: 3.000 - 1721.000; Mean: 51.791; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 123.097 Percentiles: 90th: 119.000; 95th: 273.000; 99th: 539.000 3.000 - 6.336: 16 #### 6.336 - 12.454: 181 ######################################### 12.454 - 23.675: 235 ##################################################### 23.675 - 44.253: 79 ################## 44.253 - 81.994: 25 ###### 81.994 - 151.210: 28 ###### 151.210 - 278.152: 24 ##### 278.152 - 510.963: 21 ##### 510.963 - 937.936: 6 # 937.936 - 1721.000: 2 | Defaulted: Count: 636 Range: 3.000 - 1708.000; Mean: 31.833; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 85.218 Percentiles: 90th: 43.000; 95th: 105.000; 99th: 379.000 3.000 - 6.330: 4 # 6.330 - 12.434: 161 ######################### 12.434 - 23.619: 341 ##################################################### 23.619 - 44.116: 71 ########### 44.116 - 81.680: 22 ### 81.680 - 150.520: 17 ### 150.520 - 276.675: 6 # 276.675 - 507.869: 13 ## 507.869 - 1708.000: 1 | Mediated: Count: 1346 Range: 0.000 - 2218.000; Mean: 41.288; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 131.990 Percentiles: 90th: 65.000; 95th: 139.000; 99th: 423.000 0.000 - 3.032: 6 # 3.032 - 7.129: 8 # 7.129 - 15.390: 629 ##################################################### 15.390 - 32.043: 444 ##################################### 32.043 - 65.618: 120 ########## 65.618 - 133.309: 62 ##### 133.309 - 269.782: 44 #### 269.782 - 544.924: 18 ## 544.924 - 1099.638: 3 | 1099.638 - 2218.000: 5 | Heard: Count: 129 Range: 0.000 - 1709.000; Mean: 99.217; Median: 33.000; Stddev: 226.740 Percentiles: 90th: 284.000; 95th: 372.000; 99th: 1699.000 0.000 - 2.928: 3 ###### 2.928 - 6.717: 2 #### 6.717 - 14.157: 28 ##################################################### 14.157 - 28.773: 26 ################################################# 28.773 - 57.481: 28 ##################################################### 57.481 - 113.871: 15 ############################ 113.871 - 224.635: 11 ##################### 224.635 - 442.203: 12 ####################### 442.203 - 869.562: 1 ## 869.562 - 1709.000: 2 #### Other Outcome: Count: 19 Range: 9.000 - 1204.000; Mean: 130.421; Median: 23.000; Stddev: 303.720 Percentiles: 90th: 707.000; 95th: 1204.000; 99th: 1204.000 9.000 - 15.147: 5 ##################################################### 15.147 - 25.073: 5 ##################################################### 25.073 - 41.101: 2 ##################### 41.101 - 66.982: 3 ################################ 66.982 - 108.772: 1 ########### 108.772 - 176.252: 1 ########### 176.252 - 745.257: 1 ########### 745.257 - 1204.000: 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/.