Outcomes for September 2019

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: 2019-09-01 Search Period End: 2019-09-30 Earliest Case: 2019-09-02 Latest Case: 2019-09-30 Total Cases: 3389 Total Transfers: 79 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 32.6% Of those, percentage pro se: 55.2% Most common cause: Non-payment Least stable municipality/neighborhood: Florence Least stable with 10+ filings: Holyoke Least stable with 100+ filings: Springfield Least stable county: Hampden Cases per day: 116 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 western 567 16.7% northeast 545 16.1% eastern 490 14.5% central 487 14.4% southeast 385 11.4% metro_south 277 8.2% quincy district 57 1.7% malden district 40 1.2% pittsfield district 39 1.2% somerville district 37 1.1% cambridge district 34 1.0% chelsea district 30 0.9% fall river district 25 0.7% springfield district 25 0.7% lowell district 24 0.7% lynn district 23 0.7% barnstable district 22 0.6% waltham district 20 0.6% holyoke district 17 0.5% northern berkshire district 16 0.5% attleboro district 14 0.4% woburn district 12 0.4% framingham district 11 0.3% plymouth district 11 0.3% wrentham district 11 0.3% bmc east boston 10 0.3% bmc west roxbury 10 0.3% brockton district 10 0.3% stoughton district 9 0.3% newton district 8 0.2% bmc dorchester 7 0.2% dedham district 7 0.2% fallmouth district 7 0.2% haverhill district 7 0.2% hingham district 7 0.2% milford district 7 0.2% orleans district 7 0.2% lawrence district 6 0.2% newburyport district 6 0.2% wareham district 6 0.2% greenfield district 5 0.1% natick district 5 0.1% peabody district 5 0.1% bmc roxbury 4 0.1% chicopee district 4 0.1% edgartown district 4 0.1% palmer district 4 0.1% taunton district 4 0.1% eastern hampshire district 3 0.1% salem district 3 0.1% brookline district 2 0.1% southern berkshire district 2 0.1% westfield district 2 0.1% bmc central 1 0.0% bmc charlestown 1 0.0% bmc south boston 1 0.0% gloucester district 1 0.0% ipswich district 1 0.0% nantucket district 1 0.0% new bedford district 1 0.0% northampton district 1 0.0% uxbridge district 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 2283 16 Natural Person 1106 3373 Total 3389 3389 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 67.4% 0.5% Natural Person 32.6% 99.5% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 2224 59 2283 Optional 495 611 1106 Total 2719 670 3389 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 65.6% 1.7% 67.4% Optional 14.6% 18.0% 32.6% Total 80.2% 19.8% 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 4 12 16 Optional 235 3138 3373 Total 239 3150 3389 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.1% 0.4% 0.5% Optional 6.9% 92.6% 99.5% Total 7.1% 92.9% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 167 4.9% 1 2219 65.5% 2 808 23.8% 3 131 3.9% 4 40 1.2% 5 14 0.4% 6 5 0.1% 7 5 0.1% Total 3389 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 2050 60.5% Unknown/Other 638 18.8% Cause 323 9.5% No Fault 310 9.1% Foreclosure 68 2.0% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Florence 527 5 Rowe 254 1 Turners Falls 219 9 Baldwinville 211 4 Chestnut Hill 188 4 Otis 186 3 West Wareham 184 4 Holyoke 183 73 Springfield 180 277 Gilbertville 173 2 Oakham 157 3 Plainfield 154 1 Pittsfield 149 67 Hyde Park 143 48 Hyannis 141 20 North Adams 138 19 Greenfield 137 24 Huntington 137 3 South Dennis 135 5 New Bedford 124 118 Randolph 124 40 Fitchburg 119 48 Indian Orchard 119 12 Wendell 117 1 Dorchester 116 107 Chicopee 115 64 Charlestown 113 19 Fall River 113 101 Lawrence 112 86 Vineyard Haven 105 2 Three Rivers 102 3 Lowell 101 108 Brockton 100 94 Foxborough 100 17 West Yarmouth 94 5 Cheshire 92 3 Worcester 92 168 Rockland 91 16 Southbridge 89 15 Gardner 88 18 Buzzards Bay 87 3 Salisbury 84 7 Webster 83 14 Adams 82 7 Abington 81 13 Lynn 81 74 Sunderland 81 3 Salem 77 32 Westborough 76 14 Marlborough 75 29 Whitman 75 11 Mattapan 74 27 Peabody 74 38 Haverhill 73 45 Whitinsville 72 5 Stoughton 70 19 Athol 69 8 Braintree 69 25 East Falmouth 69 4 Jamaica Plain 69 26 Framingham 68 47 West Springfield 66 19 Brewster 61 6 Dorchester Center 61 57 Roxbury 60 36 Taunton 59 33 Clarksburg 58 1 Hull 58 6 Leominster 58 24 Ashfield 57 1 Becket 56 1 Quincy 56 52 Revere 54 28 Ipswich 53 7 Everett 52 22 East Boston 51 21 Feeding Hills 51 6 Orange 51 4 South Yarmouth 51 6 Tewksbury 51 15 Ware 50 5 Danvers 49 13 Medfield 49 6 Palmer 49 6 Bellingham 48 8 Chelsea 48 17 Granby 48 3 Plainville 48 4 South Deerfield 48 1 Dracut 47 14 Canton 46 10 Methuen 46 22 Attleborough 45 20 Oak Bluffs 44 2 Beverly 43 17 Dudley 43 5 Ashland 42 7 Great Barrington 42 3 North Brookfield 42 2 Wareham 41 9 Belchertown 40 6 Malden 40 24 Milford 39 11 Newtonville 38 2 Rochester 38 2 Bradford 37 5 Cambridge 37 39 Medford 37 21 Stoneham 37 8 Clinton 36 5 Somerville 36 28 Wellfleet 36 1 Gloucester 34 10 Lynnfield 34 4 Mansfield 34 8 Roslindale 34 10 Rowley 34 2 Woburn 34 13 Auburndale 32 3 Waltham 32 20 Dennis Port 31 1 Fairhaven 31 5 Norton 31 6 Plymouth 31 18 Westfield 31 13 Amesbury 30 5 Bedford 30 4 Bridgewater 30 8 Saugus 30 8 Sheffield 30 1 Dalton 29 2 Nahant 29 1 Princeton 29 1 Raynham 29 4 Winchendon 29 3 Essex 28 1 Northborough 28 4 West Bridgewater 28 2 Winthrop 28 5 East Wareham 27 6 Natick 27 9 West Brookfield 27 1 Wrentham 27 3 Upton 26 2 Middleborough 25 6 Millis 25 2 Northbridge 25 4 Spencer 25 3 Andover 24 8 Auburn 24 4 Edgartown 24 1 Northampton 24 7 Wakefield 24 6 Douglas 23 2 Holden 23 4 Monson 23 2 North Easton 23 3 South Boston 23 8 Assonet 22 2 Billerica 22 9 Boylston 22 1 Falmouth 22 7 Holliston 22 3 Hubbardston 22 1 Littleton 22 2 Newburyport 22 4 North Andover 21 6 Oxford 21 3 Swampscott 21 3 Boxborough 20 1 Eastham 20 1 Marion 20 1 Norwood 20 6 Walpole 20 5 Wellesley Hills 20 6 Wenham 20 1 Westwood 20 3 Duxbury 19 3 Lenox 19 1 Lunenburg 19 2 Warren 19 1 Brighton 18 8 Cherry Valley 18 2 Holbrook 18 2 Melrose 18 5 North Billerica 18 2 Roxbury Crossing 18 11 South Barre 18 1 Watertown 18 6 Weymouth 18 10 Needham 17 5 Sharon 17 3 Southampton 17 1 Tyngsborough 17 2 Wilmington 17 4 Chatham 16 1 Harwich 16 2 Hopedale 16 1 Mattapoisett 16 1 Newton Upper Falls 16 1 North Dartmouth 16 4 Orleans 16 1 Pembroke 16 3 Scituate 16 3 Shrewsbury 16 6 Somerset 16 3 Berkley 15 1 Charlton 15 2 Hudson 15 3 Marblehead 15 3 Marshfield 15 4 Merrimac 15 1 Agawam 14 4 Centerville 14 2 Dighton 14 1 E. Boston 14 6 Ludlow 14 3 Seekonk 14 2 Uxbridge 14 2 West Newton 14 2 Winchester 14 3 Allston 13 4 Amherst 13 5 Ayer 13 1 Cohasset 13 1 Hopkinton 13 2 West Boylston 13 1 Boston 12 77 Dedham 12 3 East Longmeadow 12 2 Easthampton 12 2 Lancaster 12 1 Longmeadow 12 2 North Grafton 12 1 Rutland 12 1 Templeton 12 1 Westport 12 2 Williamstown 12 1 Chelmsford 11 4 Concord 11 2 Sutton 11 1 North Attleborough 10 3 North Chelmsford 10 1 Southwick 10 1 Hanson 9 1 Lakeville 9 1 Leicester 9 1 Lexington 9 3 Maynard 9 1 Rochdale 9 1 South Easton 9 1 West Roxbury 9 3 Westford 9 2 Brookline 8 5 Burlington 8 2 Carver 8 1 Dartmouth 8 3 Norfolk 8 1 Reading 8 2 Rehoboth 8 1 West Harwich 8 1 Weston 8 1 Arlington 7 3 East Bridgewater 7 1 Hanover 7 1 Mashpee 7 1 Milton 7 2 Wellesley 7 2 Needham Heights 6 2 Swansea 6 1 Bourne 5 1 Grafton 5 1 South Hadley 5 1 South Weymouth 5 3 Acton 4 1 Easton 4 1 Hingham 4 1 Sandwich 4 1 East Weymouth 3 2 Franklin 3 1 Newton Highlands 3 3 South Dartmouth 2 1 (not given) 0 19 North Egremont 0 1 Siasconset 0 1 South Walpole 0 1 West Barnstable 0 1 Woods Hole 0 1 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 Hampden 685 487 Berkshire 675 109 Plymouth 500 216 Franklin 417 44 Bristol 393 324 Essex 366 403 Worcester 363 405 Barnstable 357 69 Norfolk 295 252 Suffolk 262 518 Hampshire 211 39 Middlesex 210 490 Dukes 121 5 Nantucket 0 0 Rate per 100,000 renter households based on 2019 ACS. Counties appear even if no evictions filed. OUTCOMES Concluded cases are 'disposed'. Not all cases were disposed at time of reading. Cases are read approximately 18 months after filing. Court Record Reads This Report Reads Stipulation of Dismissal Dismissed Voluntary Dismissal Dismissed Dismissal Dismissed Agreement for Judgment Mediated Agreement Mediated Judgment by Default Defaulted Findings Heard Order Heard Disposed Heard (unrecognized) Other Dismissals: Stipulations of dismissal are not legally the same as voluntary dismissals, but both are treated here as scenarios in which either money has been paid or cause cured. Mediation: Agreements are not legally the same as agreements for judgment, but both are treated here as mediations in which a tenancy may be preserved; judgment or execution may enter thereafter, looked at separately. Tenancy preservation program is generally not visible, may influence either mediation or dismissal. Some disposed cases may have a judgment entered. Judgments may be for money only, money and possession, or possession only. Some judgments for possession may result in an execution. Dispositions Count Percentage Disposed 2751 81.2% Ongoing/Error 638 18.8% 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 1455 52.9% Defaulted 633 23.0% Dismissed 504 18.3% Heard 137 5.0% Other 22 0.8% Total 2751 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 40 76 180 19 0 Foreclosure 14 14 28 10 0 No Fault 46 56 181 20 4 Non-payment 404 487 1066 57 1 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 31 17 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 1.5% 2.8% 6.5% 0.7% 0.0% Foreclosure 0.5% 0.5% 1.0% 0.4% 0.0% No Fault 1.7% 2.0% 6.6% 0.7% 0.1% Non-payment 14.7% 17.7% 38.7% 2.1% 0.0% Unknown/Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.1% 0.6% 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. Count Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Judgment entered 1327 48.2% 39.2% No judgment entered 1424 51.8% 42.0% Total 2751 100.0% 81.2% Judgments by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 134 4.9% 0 21,152 1,473 3,059 197,467 Foreclosure 19 0.7% 175 7,200 890 1,739 16,922 No fault 108 3.9% 82 18,554 1,847 2,604 199,571 Non-payment 1053 38.3% 60 55,449 3,749 4,083 3,948,166 Unknown/Other 13 0.5% 0 31,133 6,005 7,800 78,072 All 1327 48.2% 0 55,449 3,346 4,023 4,440,199 Judgments by outcome, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 9 0.3% 463 10,147 3,372 3,155 30,349 Defaulted 619 22.5% 60 53,435 2,868 3,843 1,775,835 Mediated 648 23.6% 0 55,449 3,782 4,074 2,450,975 Heard 43 1.6% 0 11,349 2,909 3,065 125,122 Other 8 0.3% 247 31,133 7,239 9,333 57,916 All 1327 48.2% 0 55,449 3,346 4,023 4,440,199 By prevailing party, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed defendant 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% plaintiff 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% unknown 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Total 1327 100.0% 48.2% 39.2% Judgments All Cases: Count: 1327 Range: 0.000 - 55449.680; Mean: 3346.044; Median: 2331.000; Stddev: 4025.409 Percentiles: 90th: 7039.730; 95th: 9856.330; 99th: 18554.700 0.000 - 119.556: 3 | 119.556 - 237.257: 156 ####################### 237.257 - 469.872: 44 ####### 469.872 - 929.595: 87 ############# 929.595 - 1838.155: 264 ######################################## 1838.155 - 3633.763: 354 ##################################################### 3633.763 - 7182.461: 288 ########################################### 7182.461 - 14195.833: 98 ############### 14195.833 - 28056.513: 25 #### 28056.513 - 55449.680: 4 # Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 134 Range: 0.000 - 21152.560; Mean: 1473.637; Median: 216.955; Stddev: 3070.892 Percentiles: 90th: 4268.900; 95th: 6236.420; 99th: 20733.320 0.000 - 231.899: 69 ##################################################### 231.899 - 383.368: 7 ##### 383.368 - 633.347: 6 ##### 633.347 - 1045.903: 9 ####### 1045.903 - 1726.770: 11 ######## 1726.770 - 2850.448: 12 ######### 2850.448 - 4704.925: 6 ##### 4704.925 - 7765.485: 7 ##### 7765.485 - 12816.519: 3 ## 12816.519 - 21152.560: 2 ## Foreclosure: Count: 19 Range: 175.520 - 7200.000; Mean: 890.653; Median: 212.910; Stddev: 1786.978 Percentiles: 90th: 3925.070; 95th: 7200.000; 99th: 7200.000 175.520 - 254.772: 14 ##################################################### 254.772 - 369.607: 1 #### 369.607 - 535.999: 1 #### 535.999 - 2366.081: 1 #### 2366.081 - 4968.731: 1 #### 4968.731 - 7200.000: 1 #### No Fault: Count: 108 Range: 82.220 - 18554.700; Mean: 1847.887; Median: 1093.235; Stddev: 2616.657 Percentiles: 90th: 4401.450; 95th: 6467.700; 99th: 12195.000 82.220 - 141.907: 2 ### 141.907 - 244.402: 34 ##################################################### 244.402 - 420.408: 3 ##### 420.408 - 722.648: 2 ### 722.648 - 1241.661: 16 ######################### 1241.661 - 2132.917: 22 ################################## 2132.917 - 3663.396: 16 ######################### 3663.396 - 6291.561: 7 ########### 6291.561 - 10804.687: 4 ###### 10804.687 - 18554.700: 2 ### Non-payment: Count: 1053 Range: 60.000 - 55449.680; Mean: 3749.446; Median: 2734.730; Stddev: 4085.699 Percentiles: 90th: 7442.010; 95th: 10399.210; 99th: 17834.320 60.000 - 119.556: 2 | 119.556 - 237.257: 40 ####### 237.257 - 469.872: 26 #### 469.872 - 929.595: 70 ############ 929.595 - 1838.155: 221 ##################################### 1838.155 - 3633.763: 315 ##################################################### 3633.763 - 7182.461: 265 ############################################# 7182.461 - 14195.833: 89 ############### 14195.833 - 28056.513: 22 #### 28056.513 - 55449.680: 3 # Unknown/Other reason: Count: 13 Range: 0.000 - 31133.000; Mean: 6005.554; Median: 4186.420; Stddev: 8119.065 Percentiles: 90th: 9076.030; 95th: 31133.000; 99th: 31133.000 0.000 - 401.373: 1 ################## 401.373 - 1713.607: 1 ################## 1713.607 - 4505.659: 3 ##################################################### 4505.659 - 7305.337: 3 ##################################################### 7305.337 - 11844.265: 2 ################################### 11844.265 - 31133.000: 1 ################## Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 9 Range: 463.770 - 10147.010; Mean: 3372.191; Median: 1194.500; Stddev: 3346.750 Percentiles: 90th: 10147.010; 95th: 10147.010; 99th: 10147.010 463.770 - 631.634: 2 ##################################################### 631.634 - 1171.144: 1 ########################### 1171.144 - 1594.494: 2 ##################################################### 1594.494 - 4022.815: 1 ########################### 4022.815 - 7454.325: 2 ##################################################### 7454.325 - 10147.010: 1 ########################### Defaulted: Count: 619 Range: 60.000 - 53435.900; Mean: 2868.878; Median: 1860.850; Stddev: 3847.005 Percentiles: 90th: 6236.420; 95th: 8256.010; 99th: 16079.330 60.000 - 119.111: 1 | 119.111 - 235.501: 102 ################################ 235.501 - 464.675: 22 ####### 464.675 - 915.926: 46 ############### 915.926 - 1804.450: 129 ######################################### 1804.450 - 3553.976: 168 ##################################################### 3553.976 - 6998.835: 102 ################################ 6998.835 - 13781.848: 37 ############ 13781.848 - 27137.767: 10 ### 27137.767 - 53435.900: 2 # Mediated: Count: 648 Range: 0.000 - 55449.680; Mean: 3782.370; Median: 2701.270; Stddev: 4077.293 Percentiles: 90th: 7700.000; 95th: 10639.510; 99th: 18554.700 0.000 - 158.439: 2 # 158.439 - 304.466: 50 ############### 304.466 - 584.237: 21 ###### 584.237 - 1120.242: 53 ################ 1120.242 - 2147.163: 131 ######################################## 2147.163 - 4114.619: 174 ##################################################### 4114.619 - 7884.026: 156 ################################################ 7884.026 - 15105.750: 48 ############### 15105.750 - 28941.694: 11 ### 28941.694 - 55449.680: 1 | Heard: Count: 43 Range: 0.000 - 11349.750; Mean: 2909.827; Median: 2239.640; Stddev: 3102.131 Percentiles: 90th: 6467.700; 95th: 9076.030; 99th: 11349.750 0.000 - 282.217: 11 ##################################################### 282.217 - 642.163: 1 ##### 642.163 - 1459.568: 3 ############## 1459.568 - 2200.012: 3 ############## 2200.012 - 3315.828: 7 ################################## 3315.828 - 4997.313: 5 ######################## 4997.313 - 7531.238: 6 ############################# 7531.238 - 11349.750: 4 ################### Other Outcome: Count: 8 Range: 247.190 - 31133.000; Mean: 7239.562; Median: 3811.475; Stddev: 9977.458 Percentiles: 90th: 31133.000; 95th: 31133.000; 99th: 31133.000 247.190 - 401.373: 1 ################## 401.373 - 1713.607: 1 ################## 1713.607 - 4505.659: 3 ##################################################### 4505.659 - 7305.337: 1 ################## 7305.337 - 11844.265: 1 ################## 11844.265 - 31133.000: 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. Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Requested 1243 93.7% 45.2% 36.7% Issued 1067 80.4% 38.8% 31.5% Levied 227 17.1% 8.3% 6.7% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 28 12.3% 2.1% 1.0% 0.8% Foreclosure 10 4.4% 0.8% 0.4% 0.3% No Fault 19 8.4% 1.4% 0.7% 0.6% Non-payment 170 74.9% 12.8% 6.2% 5.0% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 227 100.0% 17.1% 8.3% 6.7% 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 5 2.2% 0.4% 0.2% 0.1% Defaulted 96 42.3% 7.2% 3.5% 2.8% Mediated 119 52.4% 9.0% 4.3% 3.5% Heard 7 3.1% 0.5% 0.3% 0.2% Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Outcomes 227 100.0% 17.1% 8.3% 6.7% 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 10 68 14.7% Cause 28 323 8.7% Non-payment 170 2050 8.3% No Fault 19 310 6.1% Unknown/Other 0 638 0.0% Percentage chance is not intended to be summed across reasons. Conditional probabilities: 'Given a case ends with X, what are the odds of a forced move-out?' Levies Filings Percentage Chance Defaulted 96 633 15.2% Mediated 119 1455 8.2% Heard 7 137 5.1% Dismissed 5 504 1.0% Other 0 22 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 0 526 32 56 Non-payment 0 520 20 29 No Fault 3 191 25 23 Foreclosure 10 393 47 67 Unknown/Other 0 135 21 26 All Reasons 0 526 22 34 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 1 476 27 51 Defaulted 2 447 18 21 Mediated 0 431 20 22 Heard 0 526 44 78 Other 8 135 39 35 All Outcomes 0 526 22 34 All Cases: Count: 2751 Range: 0.000 - 526.000; Mean: 22.847; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 34.666 Percentiles: 90th: 36.000; 95th: 58.000; 99th: 155.000 0.000 - 2.492: 8 | 2.492 - 5.098: 26 # 5.098 - 9.648: 212 ####### 9.648 - 17.593: 1544 ##################################################### 17.593 - 31.465: 617 ##################### 31.465 - 55.689: 185 ###### 55.689 - 97.987: 83 ### 97.987 - 171.844: 50 ## 171.844 - 300.809: 10 | 300.809 - 526.000: 11 | By Reason Cause: Count: 315 Range: 0.000 - 526.000; Mean: 32.883; Median: 16.000; Stddev: 56.101 Percentiles: 90th: 66.000; 95th: 112.000; 99th: 386.000 0.000 - 4.030: 2 # 4.030 - 7.434: 4 ## 7.434 - 13.143: 87 ####################################### 13.143 - 22.714: 119 ##################################################### 22.714 - 38.762: 46 #################### 38.762 - 65.671: 23 ########## 65.671 - 110.790: 16 ####### 110.790 - 186.445: 11 ##### 186.445 - 313.298: 2 # 313.298 - 526.000: 4 ## Non-payment: Count: 2015 Range: 0.000 - 520.000; Mean: 20.091; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 29.312 Percentiles: 90th: 30.000; 95th: 45.000; 99th: 125.000 0.000 - 2.488: 6 | 2.488 - 5.084: 21 # 5.084 - 9.611: 174 ######## 9.611 - 17.508: 1221 ##################################################### 17.508 - 31.280: 405 ################## 31.280 - 55.301: 111 ##### 55.301 - 97.196: 41 ## 97.196 - 170.268: 28 # 170.268 - 520.000: 6 | No Fault: Count: 307 Range: 3.000 - 191.000; Mean: 25.518; Median: 18.000; Stddev: 23.236 Percentiles: 90th: 46.000; 95th: 67.000; 99th: 141.000 3.000 - 4.891: 1 # 4.891 - 7.676: 1 # 7.676 - 11.777: 44 ####################### 11.777 - 17.817: 101 ##################################################### 17.817 - 26.713: 76 ######################################## 26.713 - 39.814: 42 ###################### 39.814 - 59.108: 22 ############ 59.108 - 87.522: 12 ###### 87.522 - 129.370: 4 ## 129.370 - 191.000: 4 ## Foreclosure: Count: 66 Range: 10.000 - 393.000; Mean: 47.833; Median: 21.000; Stddev: 67.699 Percentiles: 90th: 169.000; 95th: 188.000; 99th: 393.000 10.000 - 14.733: 16 ####################################### 14.733 - 21.502: 22 ##################################################### 21.502 - 31.183: 7 ################# 31.183 - 45.029: 5 ############ 45.029 - 64.833: 4 ########## 64.833 - 93.157: 4 ########## 93.157 - 133.668: 1 ## 133.668 - 191.609: 4 ########## 191.609 - 274.477: 2 ##### 274.477 - 393.000: 1 ## Unknown/Other reason: Count: 48 Range: 0.000 - 135.000; Mean: 21.229; Median: 14.000; Stddev: 26.293 Percentiles: 90th: 49.000; 95th: 85.000; 99th: 135.000 0.000 - 3.393: 3 ############## 3.393 - 5.433: 1 ##### 5.433 - 8.420: 6 ############################# 8.420 - 12.794: 11 ##################################################### 12.794 - 19.199: 11 ##################################################### 19.199 - 28.578: 6 ############################# 28.578 - 42.313: 2 ########## 42.313 - 62.424: 3 ############## 62.424 - 91.875: 1 ##### 91.875 - 135.000: 2 ########## By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 504 Range: 1.000 - 476.000; Mean: 27.748; Median: 14.000; Stddev: 51.300 Percentiles: 90th: 50.000; 95th: 98.000; 99th: 386.000 1.000 - 2.458: 2 | 2.458 - 4.978: 13 ### 4.978 - 9.334: 53 ############ 9.334 - 16.866: 244 ##################################################### 16.866 - 29.887: 107 ####################### 29.887 - 52.398: 38 ######## 52.398 - 91.315: 19 #### 91.315 - 158.596: 19 #### 158.596 - 274.911: 3 # 274.911 - 476.000: 6 # Defaulted: Count: 633 Range: 2.000 - 447.000; Mean: 18.518; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 21.994 Percentiles: 90th: 27.000; 95th: 40.000; 99th: 88.000 2.000 - 3.949: 7 # 3.949 - 7.165: 10 ## 7.165 - 12.470: 179 ############################# 12.470 - 21.222: 332 ##################################################### 21.222 - 35.661: 67 ########### 35.661 - 59.480: 22 #### 59.480 - 98.777: 11 ## 98.777 - 163.606: 4 # 163.606 - 447.000: 1 | Mediated: Count: 1455 Range: 0.000 - 431.000; Mean: 20.714; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 22.173 Percentiles: 90th: 33.000; 95th: 49.000; 99th: 121.000 0.000 - 3.931: 3 | 3.931 - 7.106: 10 # 7.106 - 12.324: 397 ################################ 12.324 - 20.901: 655 ##################################################### 20.901 - 35.000: 261 ##################### 35.000 - 58.175: 76 ###### 58.175 - 96.269: 27 ## 96.269 - 158.886: 16 # 158.886 - 261.813: 7 # 261.813 - 431.000: 1 | Heard: Count: 137 Range: 0.000 - 526.000; Mean: 44.803; Median: 21.000; Stddev: 78.218 Percentiles: 90th: 112.000; 95th: 169.000; 99th: 520.000 0.000 - 4.030: 5 ####### 4.030 - 7.434: 5 ####### 7.434 - 13.143: 21 ############################# 13.143 - 22.714: 39 ##################################################### 22.714 - 38.762: 28 ###################################### 38.762 - 65.671: 21 ############################# 65.671 - 110.790: 1 # 110.790 - 186.445: 8 ########### 186.445 - 313.298: 3 #### 313.298 - 526.000: 3 #### Other Outcome: Count: 22 Range: 8.000 - 135.000; Mean: 39.409; Median: 22.500; Stddev: 35.033 Percentiles: 90th: 85.000; 95th: 108.000; 99th: 135.000 8.000 - 10.808: 3 ######################################## 10.808 - 14.492: 3 ######################################## 14.492 - 19.325: 4 ##################################################### 19.325 - 25.666: 2 ########################### 25.666 - 33.986: 1 ############# 33.986 - 44.901: 1 ############# 44.901 - 59.221: 3 ######################################## 59.221 - 78.010: 2 ########################### 78.010 - 102.660: 1 ############# 102.660 - 135.000: 2 ########################### -- 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. -- When Citing This Work, Please Credit: MassLandlords, Inc. Available online at https://masslandlords.net/policy/eviction-data/.