Outcomes for October 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: 2019-10-01 Search Period End: 2019-10-31 Earliest Case: 2019-10-01 Latest Case: 2019-10-31 Total Cases: 3246 Total Transfers: 94 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 30.5% Of those, percentage pro se: 54.9% Most common cause: Non-payment Least stable municipality/neighborhood: Aquinnah Least stable with 10+ filings: Indian Orchard Least stable with 100+ filings: Springfield Least stable county: Hampden Cases per day: 108 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 550 16.9% western 486 15.0% central 484 14.9% eastern 470 14.5% southeast 394 12.1% metro_south 281 8.7% quincy district 67 2.1% lynn district 43 1.3% malden district 42 1.3% chelsea district 41 1.3% cambridge district 34 1.0% pittsfield district 30 0.9% springfield district 23 0.7% brockton district 20 0.6% framingham district 19 0.6% lowell district 19 0.6% somerville district 18 0.6% bmc dorchester 17 0.5% attleboro district 16 0.5% woburn district 13 0.4% fall river district 12 0.4% holyoke district 12 0.4% barnstable district 11 0.3% bmc west roxbury 11 0.3% dedham district 10 0.3% northern berkshire district 9 0.3% waltham district 9 0.3% bmc south boston 8 0.2% haverhill district 7 0.2% peabody district 7 0.2% wrentham district 7 0.2% bmc east boston 6 0.2% fallmouth district 6 0.2% newton district 5 0.2% orleans district 5 0.2% westfield district 5 0.2% eastern hampshire district 4 0.1% hingham district 4 0.1% lawrence district 4 0.1% newburyport district 4 0.1% orange district 4 0.1% palmer district 4 0.1% northampton district 3 0.1% plymouth district 3 0.1% salem district 3 0.1% wareham district 3 0.1% bmc roxbury 2 0.1% milford district 2 0.1% taunton district 2 0.1% ayer district 1 0.0% brookline district 1 0.0% gloucester district 1 0.0% greenfield district 1 0.0% natick district 1 0.0% stoughton district 1 0.0% uxbridge district 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 2257 13 Natural Person 989 3233 Total 3246 3246 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 69.5% 0.4% Natural Person 30.5% 99.6% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 2209 48 2257 Optional 446 543 989 Total 2655 591 3246 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 68.1% 1.5% 69.5% Optional 13.7% 16.7% 30.5% Total 81.8% 18.2% 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 11 13 Optional 189 3044 3233 Total 191 3055 3246 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.1% 0.3% 0.4% Optional 5.8% 93.8% 99.6% Total 5.9% 94.1% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 164 5.1% 1 2102 64.8% 2 788 24.3% 3 125 3.9% 4 46 1.4% 5 14 0.4% 6 4 0.1% 7 2 0.1% 9 1 0.0% Total 3246 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 1966 60.6% Unknown/Other 581 17.9% No Fault 325 10.0% Cause 310 9.6% Foreclosure 64 2.0% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Aquinnah 321 1 Three Rivers 170 5 Indian Orchard 168 17 Randolph 161 52 Turners Falls 146 6 Springfield 143 220 Chestnut Hill 141 3 Fitchburg 133 54 Ware 131 13 Dorchester 120 111 Holyoke 120 48 Pittsfield 120 54 Lynn 117 106 Wendell 117 1 New Bedford 116 111 Ashfield 115 2 Orange 114 9 Fall River 110 98 Worcester 108 196 Brockton 107 101 Lowell 107 114 Bondsville 106 2 Buckland 105 2 Athol 103 12 Rockland 102 18 Hinsdale 98 2 Shirley 97 7 South Deerfield 97 2 Braintree 89 32 Oxford 87 12 Framingham 84 58 Charlestown 83 14 Revere 83 43 Lawrence 82 63 Marstons Mills 82 4 Chicopee 81 45 Feeding Hills 77 9 Millers Falls 77 1 Abington 75 12 Chester 74 1 Greenfield 74 13 North Adams 72 10 Southbridge 71 12 Hyannis 70 10 East Falmouth 69 4 Roxbury 68 41 Marlborough 67 26 Winchendon 67 7 Jamaica Plain 66 25 Peabody 66 34 Malden 65 39 Mattapan 65 24 Northfield 65 2 Roslindale 65 19 Webster 65 11 Lanesborough 64 2 Bridgewater 63 17 Marion 61 3 Dorchester Center 60 56 Salisbury 60 5 Chelsea 59 21 Colrain 59 1 Gardner 59 12 Seekonk 58 8 Tewksbury 58 17 Everett 57 24 Whitinsville 57 4 Hyde Park 56 19 West Yarmouth 56 3 Holbrook 55 6 Norwood 55 16 Whitman 55 8 Wales 54 1 Dedham 52 13 Lynnfield 51 6 Newton Center 51 2 Roxbury Crossing 51 31 Stockbridge 51 1 Salem 50 21 Northampton 49 14 West Springfield 49 14 Gloucester 48 14 Westfield 48 20 Adams 47 4 Dracut 47 14 Haverhill 47 29 Mansfield 47 11 Bernardston 46 1 Canton 46 10 East Taunton 46 3 West Wareham 46 1 Huntington 45 1 Raynham 44 6 Taunton 44 25 Waltham 44 27 Quincy 43 40 Cambridge 42 45 North Brookfield 42 2 Spencer 42 5 Leominster 41 17 North Attleborough 41 12 Paxton 41 2 Ayer 40 3 Woburn 39 15 Hull 38 4 South Boston 38 13 Westborough 38 7 Beverly 37 15 East Boston 37 15 Franklin 37 12 Ludlow 37 8 North Billerica 37 4 Saugus 37 10 Mashpee 35 5 Methuen 35 17 Attleborough 34 15 Berlin 34 1 Middleborough 34 8 South Hadley 34 6 Danvers 33 9 Mattapoisett 33 2 North Reading 33 5 Pembroke 33 6 Provincetown 33 1 Ashby 32 1 Chatham 32 2 East Wareham 32 7 Palmer 32 4 Wakefield 32 8 Dennis Port 31 1 Easthampton 31 5 Kingston 31 4 Merrimac 31 2 Millville 31 1 Auburn 30 5 Cheshire 30 1 Amherst 29 11 Buzzards Bay 29 1 Nahant 29 1 Great Barrington 28 2 Lakeville 28 3 Newburyport 28 5 Allston 27 8 Belchertown 27 4 Leicester 27 3 Natick 27 9 Needham Heights 27 8 Sunderland 27 1 Westwood 27 4 Dudley 26 3 Halifax 26 2 Hudson 26 5 Pepperell 26 3 West Boylston 26 2 Fairhaven 25 4 Rehoboth 25 3 Stoughton 25 7 Williamstown 25 2 Amesbury 24 4 North Andover 24 7 Plainville 24 2 Chelmsford 23 8 Medway 23 3 Boylston 22 1 Clinton 22 3 Forestdale 22 1 Ipswich 22 3 Melrose 22 6 Middleton 22 2 Townsend 22 2 Weymouth 22 12 Dennis 21 3 East Bridgewater 21 3 Plymouth 21 12 Sturbridge 21 2 Acushnet 19 2 Duxbury 19 3 East Longmeadow 19 3 Hampden 19 1 Hanson 19 2 Marshfield 19 5 Medford 19 11 Newtonville 19 1 South Easton 19 2 Warren 19 1 Westport 19 3 Brighton 18 8 Hingham 18 4 Onset 18 4 Somerville 18 14 Wareham 18 4 Milford 17 5 Rowley 17 1 South Yarmouth 17 2 Southampton 17 1 Winthrop 17 3 Granby 16 1 Scituate 16 3 Andover 15 5 Lincoln 15 1 Newbury 15 1 Norton 15 3 Watertown 15 5 Agawam 14 4 Billerica 14 6 Centerville 14 2 East Weymouth 14 8 Hanover 14 2 Shrewsbury 14 5 West Bridgewater 14 1 Stoneham 13 3 Upton 13 1 West Roxbury 13 4 Westminster 13 1 Falmouth 12 4 Hamilton 12 1 Lexington 12 4 Templeton 12 1 Blackstone 11 1 Douglas 11 1 Foxborough 11 2 Holden 11 2 Littleton 11 1 Somerset 11 2 Sutton 11 1 Auburndale 10 1 Boston 10 67 Brewster 10 1 North Chelmsford 10 1 Southwick 10 1 Cherry Valley 9 1 E. Boston 9 4 Groton 9 1 Lunenburg 9 1 Wrentham 9 1 Burlington 8 2 Harwich 8 1 Medfield 8 1 Reading 8 2 Walpole 8 2 Weston 8 1 Arlington 7 3 Bedford 7 1 Bradford 7 1 Charlton 7 1 Holliston 7 1 North Easton 7 1 Northborough 7 1 Swampscott 7 1 Uxbridge 7 1 Wellesley 7 2 West Newton 7 1 Wilbraham 7 1 Ashland 6 1 Bellingham 6 1 Hopkinton 6 1 Northbridge 6 1 Swansea 6 1 Bourne 5 1 Marblehead 5 1 Sharon 5 1 South Weymouth 5 3 Acton 4 1 North Dartmouth 4 1 Westford 4 1 Wilmington 4 1 Winchester 4 1 East Walpole 3 1 Milton 3 1 Wellesley Hills 3 1 Brookline 1 1 Newton Highlands 1 1 North Weymouth 1 1 (not given) 0 21 span 0 5 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 568 404 Plymouth 553 239 Berkshire 483 78 Franklin 388 41 Bristol 378 311 Worcester 358 399 Essex 331 364 Hampshire 304 56 Norfolk 288 246 Suffolk 266 526 Barnstable 238 46 Middlesex 218 509 Dukes 24 1 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 2661 82.0% Ongoing/Error 585 18.0% 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 1438 54.0% Defaulted 585 22.0% Dismissed 497 18.7% Heard 120 4.5% Other 21 0.8% Total 2661 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 48 63 174 16 0 Foreclosure 7 17 23 14 0 No Fault 44 53 198 22 1 Non-payment 398 452 1043 57 0 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 11 20 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 1.8% 2.4% 6.5% 0.6% 0.0% Foreclosure 0.3% 0.6% 0.9% 0.5% 0.0% No Fault 1.7% 2.0% 7.4% 0.8% 0.0% Non-payment 15.0% 17.0% 39.2% 2.1% 0.0% Unknown/Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4% 0.8% 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 1303 49.0% 40.1% No judgment entered 1358 51.0% 41.8% Total 2661 100.0% 82.0% Judgments by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 123 4.6% 95 71,358 2,369 6,925 291,469 Foreclosure 30 1.1% 0 24,156 1,915 5,957 57,463 No fault 113 4.2% 0 39,617 2,546 5,277 287,747 Non-payment 1027 38.6% 116 69,809 3,824 4,125 3,928,233 Unknown/Other 10 0.4% 0 5,806 2,220 1,881 22,201 All 1303 49.0% 0 71,358 3,520 4,642 4,587,116 Judgments by outcome, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 12 0.5% 180 13,236 2,485 3,554 29,829 Defaulted 582 21.9% 95 69,809 3,041 4,209 1,770,153 Mediated 651 24.5% 0 71,358 3,954 4,884 2,574,465 Heard 48 1.8% 0 24,156 3,968 6,064 190,467 Other 10 0.4% 0 5,806 2,220 1,881 22,201 All 1303 49.0% 0 71,358 3,520 4,642 4,587,116 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 1303 100.0% 49.0% 40.1% Judgments All Cases: Count: 1303 Range: 0.000 - 71358.770; Mean: 3520.427; Median: 2420.920; Stddev: 4644.738 Percentiles: 90th: 7354.850; 95th: 9540.000; 99th: 21829.770 0.000 - 186.480: 70 ########### 186.480 - 361.809: 114 ################## 361.809 - 701.102: 73 ########### 701.102 - 1357.695: 146 ####################### 1357.695 - 2628.322: 283 ############################################ 2628.322 - 5087.218: 342 ##################################################### 5087.218 - 9845.631: 213 ################################# 9845.631 - 19054.027: 42 ####### 19054.027 - 36873.956: 14 ## 36873.956 - 71358.770: 3 | Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 123 Range: 95.880 - 71358.770; Mean: 2369.673; Median: 266.430; Stddev: 6953.546 Percentiles: 90th: 5493.200; 95th: 9000.000; 99th: 19848.930 95.880 - 186.480: 32 ################################################## 186.480 - 361.809: 34 ##################################################### 361.809 - 701.102: 5 ######## 701.102 - 1357.695: 9 ############## 1357.695 - 2628.322: 16 ######################### 2628.322 - 5087.218: 14 ###################### 5087.218 - 9845.631: 9 ############## 9845.631 - 19054.027: 2 ### 19054.027 - 36873.956: 1 ## 36873.956 - 71358.770: 1 ## Foreclosure: Count: 30 Range: 0.000 - 24156.120; Mean: 1915.449; Median: 215.070; Stddev: 6059.558 Percentiles: 90th: 1718.470; 95th: 24156.120; 99th: 24156.120 0.000 - 244.099: 19 ##################################################### 244.099 - 407.192: 6 ################# 407.192 - 1884.525: 1 ### 1884.525 - 3139.182: 1 ### 3139.182 - 24156.120: 2 ###### No Fault: Count: 113 Range: 0.000 - 39617.590; Mean: 2546.442; Median: 1017.110; Stddev: 5300.760 Percentiles: 90th: 4799.020; 95th: 9138.630; 99th: 26890.000 0.000 - 248.910: 39 ##################################################### 248.910 - 437.774: 3 #### 437.774 - 769.369: 6 ######## 769.369 - 1351.558: 14 ################### 1351.558 - 2373.723: 18 ######################## 2373.723 - 4168.368: 18 ######################## 4168.368 - 7319.275: 8 ########### 7319.275 - 12851.411: 2 ### 12851.411 - 22564.336: 1 # 22564.336 - 39617.590: 3 #### Non-payment: Count: 1027 Range: 116.820 - 69809.420; Mean: 3824.960; Median: 2840.840; Stddev: 4127.969 Percentiles: 90th: 7694.730; 95th: 9661.760; 99th: 18758.200 116.820 - 222.095: 41 ####### 222.095 - 421.434: 17 ### 421.434 - 798.888: 70 ############ 798.888 - 1513.605: 132 ####################### 1513.605 - 2866.937: 257 ############################################## 2866.937 - 5429.499: 299 ##################################################### 5429.499 - 10281.764: 170 ############################## 10281.764 - 19469.630: 31 ##### 19469.630 - 36867.047: 9 ## 36867.047 - 69809.420: 1 | Unknown/Other reason: Count: 10 Range: 0.000 - 5806.000; Mean: 2220.136; Median: 1893.690; Stddev: 1983.164 Percentiles: 90th: 4511.790; 95th: 5806.000; 99th: 5806.000 0.000 - 369.631: 1 ########################### 369.631 - 502.177: 1 ########################### 502.177 - 926.424: 1 ########################### 926.424 - 1708.370: 1 ########################### 1708.370 - 3149.605: 2 ##################################################### 3149.605 - 4276.331: 1 ########################### 4276.331 - 5806.000: 2 ##################################################### Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 12 Range: 180.000 - 13236.620; Mean: 2485.753; Median: 1114.260; Stddev: 3712.361 Percentiles: 90th: 4800.000; 95th: 13236.620; 99th: 13236.620 180.000 - 277.030: 4 ##################################################### 277.030 - 655.021: 1 ############# 655.021 - 1006.700: 1 ############# 1006.700 - 1546.905: 1 ############# 1546.905 - 2376.702: 2 ########################### 2376.702 - 5609.268: 2 ########################### 5609.268 - 13236.620: 1 ############# Defaulted: Count: 582 Range: 95.880 - 69809.420; Mean: 3041.500; Median: 1990.030; Stddev: 4212.931 Percentiles: 90th: 6608.220; 95th: 8687.620; 99th: 15255.370 95.880 - 186.069: 37 ############# 186.069 - 360.220: 63 ###################### 360.220 - 696.493: 46 ################ 696.493 - 1345.817: 64 ###################### 1345.817 - 2599.622: 126 ############################################ 2599.622 - 5020.643: 153 ##################################################### 5020.643 - 9695.487: 73 ######################### 9695.487 - 18722.327: 16 ###### 18722.327 - 36152.607: 3 # 36152.607 - 69809.420: 1 | Mediated: Count: 651 Range: 0.000 - 71358.770; Mean: 3954.631; Median: 2788.530; Stddev: 4887.822 Percentiles: 90th: 7688.780; 95th: 9885.000; 99th: 24147.490 0.000 - 261.810: 58 ################## 261.810 - 488.853: 14 #### 488.853 - 912.039: 41 ############# 912.039 - 1700.817: 81 ######################### 1700.817 - 3171.023: 160 ################################################## 3171.023 - 5911.344: 171 ##################################################### 5911.344 - 11019.039: 96 ############################## 11019.039 - 20539.290: 20 ###### 20539.290 - 38284.120: 7 ## 38284.120 - 71358.770: 2 # Heard: Count: 48 Range: 0.000 - 24156.120; Mean: 3968.081; Median: 2036.670; Stddev: 6128.324 Percentiles: 90th: 10939.280; 95th: 24113.160; 99th: 24156.120 0.000 - 244.099: 10 ##################################################### 244.099 - 407.192: 3 ################ 407.192 - 678.809: 3 ################ 678.809 - 1131.165: 3 ################ 1131.165 - 1884.525: 3 ################ 1884.525 - 3139.182: 10 ##################################################### 3139.182 - 5228.707: 5 ########################### 5228.707 - 8708.636: 3 ################ 8708.636 - 14504.162: 4 ##################### 14504.162 - 24156.120: 3 ################ Other Outcome: Count: 10 Range: 0.000 - 5806.000; Mean: 2220.136; Median: 1893.690; Stddev: 1983.164 Percentiles: 90th: 4511.790; 95th: 5806.000; 99th: 5806.000 0.000 - 369.631: 1 ########################### 369.631 - 502.177: 1 ########################### 502.177 - 926.424: 1 ########################### 926.424 - 1708.370: 1 ########################### 1708.370 - 3149.605: 2 ##################################################### 3149.605 - 4276.331: 1 ########################### 4276.331 - 5806.000: 2 ##################################################### 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 1211 92.9% 45.5% 37.3% Issued 999 76.7% 37.5% 30.8% Levied 208 16.0% 7.8% 6.4% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 19 9.1% 1.5% 0.7% 0.6% Foreclosure 19 9.1% 1.5% 0.7% 0.6% No Fault 21 10.1% 1.6% 0.8% 0.6% Non-payment 149 71.6% 11.4% 5.6% 4.6% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 208 100.0% 16.0% 7.8% 6.4% 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 4 1.9% 0.3% 0.2% 0.1% Defaulted 96 46.2% 7.4% 3.6% 3.0% Mediated 93 44.7% 7.1% 3.5% 2.9% Heard 15 7.2% 1.2% 0.6% 0.5% Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Outcomes 208 100.0% 16.0% 7.8% 6.4% 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 19 64 29.7% Non-payment 149 1966 7.6% No Fault 21 325 6.5% Cause 19 310 6.1% Unknown/Other 0 581 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 96 585 16.4% Heard 15 120 12.5% Mediated 93 1438 6.5% Dismissed 4 497 0.8% Other 0 21 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 0 512 31 50 Non-payment 0 493 21 31 No Fault 0 553 32 55 Foreclosure 9 527 67 119 Unknown/Other 0 560 72 139 All Reasons 0 560 25 44 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 2 553 33 69 Defaulted 7 140 19 14 Mediated 0 427 21 23 Heard 4 560 64 106 Other 0 442 69 123 All Outcomes 0 560 25 44 All Cases: Count: 2661 Range: 0.000 - 560.000; Mean: 25.881; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 44.633 Percentiles: 90th: 41.000; 95th: 65.000; 99th: 185.000 0.000 - 2.514: 4 | 2.514 - 5.175: 7 | 5.175 - 9.850: 180 ####### 9.850 - 18.064: 1463 ##################################################### 18.064 - 32.496: 628 ####################### 32.496 - 57.856: 212 ######## 57.856 - 102.415: 82 ### 102.415 - 180.709: 53 ## 180.709 - 318.278: 5 | 318.278 - 560.000: 22 # By Reason Cause: Count: 301 Range: 0.000 - 512.000; Mean: 31.625; Median: 18.000; Stddev: 50.593 Percentiles: 90th: 55.000; 95th: 90.000; 99th: 139.000 0.000 - 2.483: 2 # 2.483 - 9.562: 7 ### 9.562 - 17.394: 134 ##################################################### 17.394 - 31.031: 85 ################################## 31.031 - 54.781: 40 ################ 54.781 - 96.138: 17 ####### 96.138 - 168.161: 12 ##### 168.161 - 512.000: 3 # Non-payment: Count: 1950 Range: 0.000 - 493.000; Mean: 21.871; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 31.169 Percentiles: 90th: 33.000; 95th: 52.000; 99th: 141.000 0.000 - 2.470: 1 | 2.470 - 5.020: 5 | 5.020 - 9.443: 139 ####### 9.443 - 17.118: 1088 ##################################################### 17.118 - 30.432: 476 ####################### 30.432 - 53.532: 147 ####### 53.532 - 93.606: 49 ## 93.606 - 163.130: 32 ## 163.130 - 283.746: 3 | 283.746 - 493.000: 8 | No Fault: Count: 318 Range: 0.000 - 553.000; Mean: 32.619; Median: 19.000; Stddev: 55.603 Percentiles: 90th: 56.000; 95th: 109.000; 99th: 402.000 0.000 - 4.055: 1 | 4.055 - 7.519: 3 # 7.519 - 13.356: 65 ########################## 13.356 - 23.192: 131 ##################################################### 23.192 - 39.768: 66 ########################### 39.768 - 67.700: 28 ########### 67.700 - 114.769: 10 #### 114.769 - 194.089: 8 ### 194.089 - 327.754: 1 | 327.754 - 553.000: 4 ## Foreclosure: Count: 61 Range: 9.000 - 527.000; Mean: 67.098; Median: 23.000; Stddev: 119.004 Percentiles: 90th: 157.000; 95th: 390.000; 99th: 527.000 9.000 - 13.868: 10 ########################### 13.868 - 21.107: 20 ##################################################### 21.107 - 31.869: 9 ######################## 31.869 - 47.871: 8 ##################### 47.871 - 71.664: 4 ########### 71.664 - 107.039: 3 ######## 107.039 - 159.636: 1 ### 159.636 - 237.840: 1 ### 237.840 - 527.000: 5 ############# Unknown/Other reason: Count: 31 Range: 0.000 - 560.000; Mean: 72.129; Median: 11.000; Stddev: 139.294 Percentiles: 90th: 169.000; 95th: 442.000; 99th: 560.000 0.000 - 5.558: 2 ########## 5.558 - 9.751: 5 ######################## 9.751 - 16.625: 11 ##################################################### 16.625 - 27.895: 2 ########## 27.895 - 46.371: 2 ########## 46.371 - 76.661: 2 ########## 76.661 - 207.729: 3 ############## 207.729 - 560.000: 3 ############## By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 497 Range: 2.000 - 553.000; Mean: 33.877; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 69.966 Percentiles: 90th: 56.000; 95th: 127.000; 99th: 456.000 2.000 - 4.055: 1 | 4.055 - 7.519: 8 ## 7.519 - 13.356: 175 ################################################# 13.356 - 23.192: 190 ##################################################### 23.192 - 39.768: 52 ############### 39.768 - 67.700: 32 ######### 67.700 - 114.769: 11 ### 114.769 - 194.089: 14 #### 194.089 - 327.754: 3 # 327.754 - 553.000: 11 ### Defaulted: Count: 585 Range: 7.000 - 140.000; Mean: 19.846; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 14.956 Percentiles: 90th: 33.000; 95th: 43.000; 99th: 99.000 7.000 - 9.659: 35 ########## 9.659 - 13.201: 132 #################################### 13.201 - 17.920: 193 ##################################################### 17.920 - 24.208: 120 ################################# 24.208 - 32.586: 45 ############ 32.586 - 43.747: 31 ######### 43.747 - 58.618: 12 ### 58.618 - 78.432: 9 ## 78.432 - 104.829: 4 # 104.829 - 140.000: 4 # Mediated: Count: 1438 Range: 0.000 - 427.000; Mean: 21.695; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 23.262 Percentiles: 90th: 35.000; 95th: 53.000; 99th: 112.000 0.000 - 2.420: 3 | 2.420 - 4.849: 2 | 4.849 - 9.004: 89 ####### 9.004 - 16.108: 693 ##################################################### 16.108 - 28.257: 411 ############################### 28.257 - 49.036: 152 ############ 49.036 - 84.570: 52 #### 84.570 - 145.339: 28 ## 145.339 - 249.266: 2 | 249.266 - 427.000: 2 | Heard: Count: 120 Range: 4.000 - 560.000; Mean: 64.667; Median: 30.000; Stddev: 106.785 Percentiles: 90th: 143.000; 95th: 357.000; 99th: 527.000 4.000 - 7.016: 3 ###### 7.016 - 11.852: 14 ############################## 11.852 - 19.605: 25 ##################################################### 19.605 - 32.034: 23 ################################################# 32.034 - 51.962: 22 ############################################### 51.962 - 83.911: 11 ####################### 83.911 - 135.133: 8 ################# 135.133 - 217.255: 7 ############### 217.255 - 560.000: 7 ############### Other Outcome: Count: 21 Range: 0.000 - 442.000; Mean: 69.762; Median: 15.000; Stddev: 123.789 Percentiles: 90th: 169.000; 95th: 395.000; 99th: 442.000 0.000 - 5.405: 1 ####### 5.405 - 9.255: 1 ####### 9.255 - 15.420: 8 ##################################################### 15.420 - 25.290: 2 ############# 25.290 - 41.095: 2 ############# 41.095 - 66.401: 1 ####### 66.401 - 106.920: 1 ####### 106.920 - 171.797: 2 ############# 171.797 - 442.000: 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/.