Outcomes for December 2020

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: 2020-12-01 Search Period End: 2020-12-31 Earliest Case: 2020-12-01 Latest Case: 2020-12-31 Total Cases: 3617 Total Transfers: 30 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 31.9% Of those, percentage pro se: 46.5% Most common cause: Non-payment Least stable municipality/neighborhood: Gilbertville Least stable with 10+ filings: Fall River Least stable with 100+ filings: Fall River Least stable county: Bristol Cases per day: 120 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 central 734 20.3% northeast 700 19.4% southeast 583 16.1% western 443 12.2% eastern 360 10.0% metro_south 313 8.7% quincy district 38 1.1% lynn district 37 1.0% fall river district 32 0.9% chelsea district 30 0.8% somerville district 30 0.8% malden district 23 0.6% woburn district 22 0.6% northern berkshire district 19 0.5% framingham district 18 0.5% waltham district 18 0.5% pittsfield district 17 0.5% bmc east boston 13 0.4% cambridge district 13 0.4% bmc south boston 12 0.3% lowell district 12 0.3% attleboro district 11 0.3% fallmouth district 11 0.3% peabody district 10 0.3% barnstable district 9 0.2% newburyport district 8 0.2% orleans district 8 0.2% lawrence district 7 0.2% wrentham district 7 0.2% dedham district 6 0.2% ayer district 5 0.1% concord district 5 0.1% newton district 5 0.1% bmc west roxbury 4 0.1% clinton district 4 0.1% plymouth district 4 0.1% springfield district 4 0.1% stoughton district 4 0.1% westfield district 4 0.1% brockton district 3 0.1% chicopee district 3 0.1% haverhill district 3 0.1% southern berkshire district 3 0.1% taunton district 3 0.1% bmc roxbury 2 0.1% gloucester district 2 0.1% nantucket district 2 0.1% palmer district 2 0.1% uxbridge district 2 0.1% wareham district 2 0.1% bmc brighton 1 0.0% bmc charlestown 1 0.0% bmc dorchester 1 0.0% milford district 1 0.0% new bedford district 1 0.0% orange district 1 0.0% salem district 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 2464 21 Natural Person 1153 3596 Total 3617 3617 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 68.1% 0.6% Natural Person 31.9% 99.4% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 2447 17 2464 Optional 617 536 1153 Total 3064 553 3617 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 67.7% 0.5% 68.1% Optional 17.1% 14.8% 31.9% Total 84.7% 15.3% 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 10 11 21 Optional 341 3255 3596 Total 351 3266 3617 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.3% 0.3% 0.6% Optional 9.4% 90.0% 99.4% Total 9.7% 90.3% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 131 3.6% 1 2293 63.4% 2 995 27.5% 3 142 3.9% 4 39 1.1% 5 11 0.3% 6 5 0.1% 9 1 0.0% Total 3617 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 2587 71.5% Cause 743 20.5% No Fault 264 7.3% Foreclosure 21 0.6% Unknown/Other 2 0.1% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Gilbertville 521 6 Chestnut Hill 235 5 Fall River 214 191 New Bedford 186 177 Adams 164 14 Gardner 158 32 Orange 153 12 West Stockbridge 153 2 Worcester 151 275 Abington 150 24 Savoy 144 1 Fitchburg 143 58 Athol 138 16 Mansfield 138 32 North Adams 138 19 Southbridge 137 23 Springfield 137 210 Lawrence 134 103 Housatonic 132 1 Framingham 131 90 Marlborough 129 50 Dorchester 125 115 Peabody 120 62 Webster 119 20 Oxford 116 16 Haverhill 113 69 Buckland 105 2 Monterey 104 1 Three Rivers 102 3 Swampscott 101 14 Lynn 100 91 Turners Falls 97 4 Chelsea 96 34 Randolph 96 31 West Springfield 95 27 Rockland 91 16 Chicopee 90 50 Beverly 88 35 North Oxford 88 2 Buzzards Bay 87 3 Lowell 84 90 Salisbury 84 7 Bridgewater 82 22 Sunderland 81 3 Holyoke 80 32 Norwood 80 23 Indian Orchard 79 8 Charlemont 78 1 Warren 77 4 Brockton 73 69 Seekonk 72 10 Leominster 71 29 Mashpee 71 10 Pittsfield 71 32 Norton 68 13 Milford 67 19 North Andover 67 19 Richmond 67 1 Foxborough 65 11 Hyde Park 65 22 Woburn 62 24 Methuen 61 29 Mattapan 60 22 Ware 60 6 Feeding Hills 59 7 Stoughton 59 16 Winchendon 58 6 Whitinsville 57 4 Chelmsford 56 19 Hyannis 56 8 Russell 56 1 West Yarmouth 56 3 Quincy 55 51 Shirley 55 4 Whitman 55 8 Braintree 53 19 Salem 53 22 Baldwinville 52 1 Danvers 52 14 Oakham 52 1 Somerville 52 40 East Falmouth 51 3 Newton Center 51 2 Winthrop 51 9 Revere 50 26 Attleborough 48 21 Burlington 48 12 Hull 48 5 Wakefield 48 12 Everett 47 20 Middleborough 47 11 West Newbury 47 2 Holbrook 46 5 Avon 45 2 Bedford 45 6 Boylston 45 2 Forestdale 45 2 Gloucester 45 13 Greenfield 45 8 West Dennis 45 1 Carver 43 5 Malden 43 26 Westborough 43 8 Northborough 42 6 Plymouth 42 24 Franklin 41 13 Saugus 41 11 Westford 41 9 Bolton 40 2 Boxborough 40 2 Eastham 40 2 Watertown 40 13 Kingston 39 5 South Easton 39 4 West Boylston 39 3 Dorchester Center 38 35 Hadley 38 2 Squantum 38 1 Millbury 37 5 North Falmouth 37 1 Stoneham 37 8 Amesbury 36 6 Andover 36 12 Clinton 36 5 East Wareham 36 8 Hanover 36 5 Wellfleet 36 1 Taunton 35 20 Blackstone 33 3 Hardwick 33 1 Hopedale 33 2 Provincetown 33 1 Townsend 33 3 Ashburnham 32 2 Ashby 32 1 Northfield 32 1 Dennis Port 31 1 Millville 31 1 Charlton 30 4 Brookfield 29 1 Centerville 29 4 Lunenburg 29 3 Maynard 29 3 Uxbridge 29 4 Great Barrington 28 2 Lakeville 28 3 North Billerica 28 3 Osterville 28 1 South Hadley 28 5 Sudbury 28 5 Canton 27 6 Dracut 27 8 Sagamore Beach 27 1 South Dennis 27 1 West Brookfield 27 1 Westwood 27 4 East Weymouth 26 14 Pepperell 26 3 Roxbury 26 16 Tyngsborough 26 3 East Longmeadow 25 4 South Yarmouth 25 3 Spencer 25 3 Williamstown 25 2 Billerica 24 10 Medfield 24 3 North Attleborough 24 7 Plainville 24 2 Westfield 24 10 Charlestown 23 4 Marshfield 23 6 Monson 23 2 Newburyport 22 4 South Grafton 22 1 Jamaica Plain 21 8 North Dartmouth 21 5 East Freetown 20 1 Hopkinton 20 3 Hudson 20 4 Marblehead 20 4 Marstons Mills 20 1 Paxton 20 1 Weymouth 20 11 Hanson 19 2 Nantucket 19 2 Newtonville 19 1 Shrewsbury 19 7 Yarmouth Port 19 1 Auburn 18 3 Bellingham 18 3 Easthampton 18 3 Fairhaven 18 3 Hingham 18 4 Swansea 18 3 Wrentham 18 2 Allston 17 5 Dover 17 1 Dudley 17 2 East Boston 17 7 Lynnfield 17 2 Medford 17 10 Mendon 17 1 Granby 16 1 Mattapoisett 16 1 Newton Upper Falls 16 1 Orleans 16 1 Palmer 16 2 Waltham 16 10 East Taunton 15 1 Harvard 15 1 Lincoln 15 1 Merrimac 15 1 Newbury 15 1 North Easton 15 2 Cambridge 14 15 Dalton 14 1 Dighton 14 1 E. Boston 14 6 Raynham 14 2 West Bridgewater 14 1 Acton 13 3 Ayer 13 1 Brookline 13 8 Cohasset 13 1 Halifax 13 1 Needham 13 4 North Reading 13 2 Roslindale 13 4 South Weymouth 13 7 Tewksbury 13 4 Wareham 13 3 Wilmington 13 3 Boxford 12 1 Dedham 12 3 Lancaster 12 1 Millis 12 1 North Grafton 12 1 Northbridge 12 2 Rutland 12 1 South Hamilton 12 1 Westport 12 2 Assonet 11 1 Brighton 11 5 Douglas 11 1 Middleton 11 1 Pembroke 11 2 South Boston 11 4 Brewster 10 1 North Chelmsford 10 1 Southwick 10 1 Acushnet 9 1 Boston 9 58 Falmouth 9 3 Leicester 9 1 Ludlow 9 2 Natick 9 3 Rochdale 9 1 Groton 8 1 Harwich 8 1 Reading 8 2 South Dartmouth 8 3 Walpole 8 2 West Harwich 8 1 Agawam 7 2 Arlington 7 3 East Bridgewater 7 1 Holliston 7 1 Ipswich 7 1 Melrose 7 2 North Uxbridge 7 1 Wayland 7 1 West Newton 7 1 Ashland 6 1 Belchertown 6 1 Duxbury 6 1 Lexington 6 2 West Roxbury 6 2 Amherst 5 2 Concord 5 1 Grafton 5 1 Holden 5 1 Belmont 4 1 Winchester 4 1 East Walpole 3 1 Milton 3 1 Needham Heights 3 1 Northampton 3 1 Newton 2 2 Roxbury Crossing 1 1 (not given) 0 32 Hanscom Afb 0 1 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 Bristol 607 500 Worcester 534 595 Plymouth 525 227 Hampden 507 361 Essex 477 525 Berkshire 470 76 Norfolk 300 256 Franklin 293 31 Barnstable 284 55 Middlesex 234 547 Suffolk 193 383 Hampshire 114 21 Nantucket 56 2 Dukes 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 3250 89.9% Ongoing/Error 367 10.1% 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 Dismissed 1389 42.7% Mediated 908 27.9% Defaulted 459 14.1% Heard 345 10.6% Other 149 4.6% Total 3250 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 74 37 154 97 120 Foreclosure 2 3 12 3 0 No Fault 63 39 108 44 2 Non-payment 1250 380 634 201 26 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 0 1 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 2.3% 1.1% 4.7% 3.0% 3.7% Foreclosure 0.1% 0.1% 0.4% 0.1% 0.0% No Fault 1.9% 1.2% 3.3% 1.4% 0.1% Non-payment 38.5% 11.7% 19.5% 6.2% 0.8% 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 1159 35.7% 32.0% Judgment inferred 303 9.3% 8.4% No judgment 1788 55.0% 49.4% Total 3250 100.0% 40.4% Judgments by reason, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 234 7.2% 0 64,127 8,920 11,236 2,087,418 Foreclosure 11 0.3% 197 39,758 7,431 12,961 81,751 No fault 95 2.9% 0 41,933 4,595 7,068 436,548 Non-payment 818 25.2% 36 109,442 9,551 11,084 7,813,384 Unknown/Other 1 0.0% 28,294 28,294 28,294 0 28,294 Subtotal 1159 35.7% 0 109,442 9,014 10,956 10,447,397 Judgments by outcome, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 38 1.2% 197 72,289 7,655 11,943 290,893 Defaulted 454 14.0% 140 100,426 9,590 11,224 4,354,208 Mediated 365 11.2% 0 109,442 7,262 10,345 2,650,908 Heard 156 4.8% 0 61,004 9,392 11,219 1,465,227 Other 146 4.5% 0 61,109 11,549 10,310 1,686,159 Subtotal 1159 35.7% 0 109,442 9,014 10,956 10,447,397 By prevailing party, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed defendant 9 0.6% 0.3% 0.2% plaintiff 1233 84.3% 37.9% 34.1% unknown 220 15.0% 6.8% 6.1% Total 1462 100.0% 45.0% 40.4% Judgments All Cases: Count: 1159 Range: 0.000 - 109442.510; Mean: 9014.148; Median: 5777.280; Stddev: 10961.630 Percentiles: 90th: 21320.230; 95th: 28969.860; 99th: 56007.130 0.000 - 81.861: 1 | 81.861 - 183.125: 14 ## 183.125 - 408.140: 102 ################# 408.140 - 908.141: 35 ###### 908.141 - 2019.185: 128 ###################### 2019.185 - 4488.014: 210 #################################### 4488.014 - 9973.950: 310 ##################################################### 9973.950 - 22164.140: 250 ########################################### 22164.140 - 49251.723: 88 ############### 49251.723 - 109442.510: 14 ## Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 234 Range: 0.000 - 64127.850; Mean: 8920.592; Median: 5775.370; Stddev: 11260.835 Percentiles: 90th: 21622.200; 95th: 29393.210; 99th: 63837.610 0.000 - 259.017: 36 ################################## 259.017 - 478.497: 5 ##### 478.497 - 883.238: 5 ##### 883.238 - 1629.620: 12 ########### 1629.620 - 3006.020: 13 ############ 3006.020 - 5544.232: 39 ##################################### 5544.232 - 10224.938: 56 ##################################################### 10224.938 - 18856.607: 34 ################################ 18856.607 - 34774.231: 22 ##################### 34774.231 - 64127.850: 8 ######## Foreclosure: Count: 11 Range: 197.760 - 39758.370; Mean: 7431.981; Median: 2069.750; Stddev: 13594.528 Percentiles: 90th: 28833.070; 95th: 39758.370; 99th: 39758.370 197.760 - 336.629: 5 ##################################################### 336.629 - 2810.151: 3 ################################ 2810.151 - 8110.597: 1 ########### 8110.597 - 39758.370: 2 ##################### No Fault: Count: 95 Range: 0.000 - 41933.700; Mean: 4595.244; Median: 1812.320; Stddev: 7105.730 Percentiles: 90th: 12471.880; 95th: 21055.670; 99th: 41933.700 0.000 - 248.204: 35 ##################################################### 248.204 - 439.443: 1 ## 439.443 - 777.441: 1 ## 777.441 - 1374.818: 3 ##### 1374.818 - 2430.623: 10 ############### 2430.623 - 4296.657: 10 ############### 4296.657 - 7594.690: 14 ##################### 7594.690 - 13423.640: 10 ############### 13423.640 - 23725.741: 6 ######### 23725.741 - 41933.700: 2 ### Non-payment: Count: 818 Range: 36.290 - 109442.510; Mean: 9551.814; Median: 6305.150; Stddev: 11091.539 Percentiles: 90th: 21419.520; 95th: 29429.360; 99th: 52976.400 36.290 - 81.861: 1 | 81.861 - 183.125: 2 | 183.125 - 408.140: 33 ######## 408.140 - 908.141: 27 ###### 908.141 - 2019.185: 102 ######################## 2019.185 - 4488.014: 163 ####################################### 4488.014 - 9973.950: 221 ##################################################### 9973.950 - 22164.140: 193 ############################################## 22164.140 - 49251.723: 67 ################ 49251.723 - 109442.510: 9 ## Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 38 Range: 197.250 - 72289.570; Mean: 7655.084; Median: 4213.850; Stddev: 12103.649 Percentiles: 90th: 17114.670; 95th: 20834.050; 99th: 72289.570 197.250 - 356.602: 1 ##### 356.602 - 644.040: 2 ########### 644.040 - 1162.520: 4 ##################### 1162.520 - 2097.749: 7 ##################################### 2097.749 - 3784.711: 4 ##################### 3784.711 - 6827.641: 5 ########################### 6827.641 - 12316.459: 10 ##################################################### 12316.459 - 22217.153: 4 ##################### 22217.153 - 72289.570: 1 ##### Defaulted: Count: 454 Range: 140.000 - 100426.580; Mean: 9590.768; Median: 6359.030; Stddev: 11236.642 Percentiles: 90th: 23147.560; 95th: 32259.830; 99th: 44371.910 140.000 - 270.946: 43 ####################### 270.946 - 523.500: 8 #### 523.500 - 1010.601: 16 ######### 1010.601 - 1950.069: 30 ################ 1950.069 - 3762.016: 63 ################################## 3762.016 - 7256.707: 96 #################################################### 7256.707 - 13996.898: 98 ##################################################### 13996.898 - 26996.666: 69 ##################################### 26996.666 - 52069.244: 27 ############### 52069.244 - 100426.580: 4 ## Mediated: Count: 365 Range: 0.000 - 109442.510; Mean: 7262.763; Median: 4202.340; Stddev: 10359.767 Percentiles: 90th: 16838.370; 95th: 26251.790; 99th: 43287.100 0.000 - 81.861: 1 # 81.861 - 183.125: 2 # 183.125 - 408.140: 41 ######################### 408.140 - 908.141: 15 ######### 908.141 - 2019.185: 60 ##################################### 2019.185 - 4488.014: 70 ########################################### 4488.014 - 9973.950: 87 ##################################################### 9973.950 - 22164.140: 61 ##################################### 22164.140 - 49251.723: 21 ############# 49251.723 - 109442.510: 3 ## Heard: Count: 156 Range: 0.000 - 61004.530; Mean: 9392.481; Median: 5782.765; Stddev: 11255.372 Percentiles: 90th: 21293.020; 95th: 29429.360; 99th: 58027.250 0.000 - 315.606: 17 ############################# 315.606 - 567.056: 2 ### 567.056 - 1018.209: 2 ### 1018.209 - 1827.670: 11 ################### 1827.670 - 3280.011: 20 ################################## 3280.011 - 5885.810: 25 ########################################### 5885.810 - 10561.150: 31 ##################################################### 10561.150 - 18949.672: 25 ########################################### 18949.672 - 34000.409: 15 ########################## 34000.409 - 61004.530: 6 ########## Other Outcome: Count: 146 Range: 0.000 - 61109.460; Mean: 11549.040; Median: 8510.520; Stddev: 10346.302 Percentiles: 90th: 24001.220; 95th: 30225.720; 99th: 55703.100 0.000 - 257.767: 5 ####### 257.767 - 473.896: 3 #### 473.896 - 870.541: 1 # 870.541 - 1598.476: 3 #### 1598.476 - 2934.400: 8 ########### 2934.400 - 5386.124: 23 ############################### 5386.124 - 9885.592: 39 ##################################################### 9885.592 - 18143.135: 34 ############################################## 18143.135 - 33297.595: 24 ################################# 33297.595 - 61109.460: 5 ####### 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 1101 75.3% 33.9% 30.4% Issued 895 61.2% 27.5% 24.7% Levied 184 12.6% 5.7% 5.1% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 16 8.7% 1.1% 0.5% 0.4% Foreclosure 7 3.8% 0.5% 0.2% 0.2% No Fault 24 13.0% 1.6% 0.7% 0.7% Non-payment 137 74.5% 9.4% 4.2% 3.8% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 184 100.0% 12.6% 5.7% 5.1% 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 12 6.5% 0.8% 0.4% 0.3% Defaulted 93 50.5% 6.4% 2.9% 2.6% Mediated 51 27.7% 3.5% 1.6% 1.4% Heard 26 14.1% 1.8% 0.8% 0.7% Other 2 1.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% All Outcomes 184 100.0% 12.6% 5.7% 5.1% 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 7 21 33.3% No Fault 24 264 9.1% Non-payment 137 2587 5.3% Cause 16 743 2.2% Unknown/Other 0 2 0.0% Percentage chance is not intended to be summed across reasons. Conditional probabilities: 'Given a case ends with X, what are the odds of a forced move-out?' Levies Filings Percentage Chance Defaulted 93 459 20.3% Heard 26 345 7.5% Mediated 51 908 5.6% Other 2 149 1.3% Dismissed 12 1389 0.9% 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 3 562 125 98 Non-payment 1 557 120 81 No Fault 8 506 109 76 Foreclosure 57 427 156 105 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 0 All Reasons 1 562 120 84 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 1 511 120 88 Defaulted 57 522 128 58 Mediated 24 557 102 75 Heard 3 511 146 98 Other 32 562 145 102 All Outcomes 1 562 120 84 All Cases: Count: 3250 Range: 1.000 - 562.000; Mean: 120.550; Median: 96.000; Stddev: 84.379 Percentiles: 90th: 218.000; 95th: 295.000; 99th: 449.000 1.000 - 2.515: 4 | 2.515 - 5.179: 3 | 5.179 - 9.861: 12 # 9.861 - 18.091: 36 ## 18.091 - 32.556: 116 ###### 32.556 - 57.982: 454 ###################### 57.982 - 102.673: 1086 ##################################################### 102.673 - 181.227: 1003 ################################################# 181.227 - 319.303: 406 #################### 319.303 - 562.000: 130 ###### By Reason Cause: Count: 482 Range: 3.000 - 562.000; Mean: 125.834; Median: 95.000; Stddev: 98.895 Percentiles: 90th: 260.000; 95th: 360.000; 99th: 473.000 3.000 - 5.560: 1 | 5.560 - 9.758: 5 ## 9.758 - 16.644: 5 ## 16.644 - 27.936: 12 ##### 27.936 - 46.455: 51 ###################### 46.455 - 76.827: 111 ################################################ 76.827 - 126.636: 123 ##################################################### 126.636 - 208.324: 106 ############################################## 208.324 - 342.292: 40 ################# 342.292 - 562.000: 28 ############ Non-payment: Count: 2491 Range: 1.000 - 557.000; Mean: 120.334; Median: 98.000; Stddev: 81.784 Percentiles: 90th: 215.000; 95th: 287.000; 99th: 443.000 1.000 - 2.512: 4 | 2.512 - 5.168: 2 | 5.168 - 9.832: 6 | 9.832 - 18.023: 26 ## 18.023 - 32.407: 90 ###### 32.407 - 57.667: 337 ###################### 57.667 - 102.027: 829 ##################################################### 102.027 - 179.931: 788 ################################################## 179.931 - 316.741: 316 #################### 316.741 - 557.000: 93 ###### No Fault: Count: 256 Range: 8.000 - 506.000; Mean: 109.867; Median: 81.000; Stddev: 76.523 Percentiles: 90th: 203.000; 95th: 270.000; 99th: 413.000 8.000 - 12.468: 3 ## 12.468 - 29.163: 3 ## 29.163 - 44.139: 20 ############# 44.139 - 66.550: 48 ############################### 66.550 - 100.089: 81 ##################################################### 100.089 - 150.279: 49 ################################ 150.279 - 225.389: 35 ####################### 225.389 - 337.791: 10 ####### 337.791 - 506.000: 7 ##### Foreclosure: Count: 20 Range: 57.000 - 427.000; Mean: 156.750; Median: 124.500; Stddev: 105.410 Percentiles: 90th: 235.000; 95th: 413.000; 99th: 427.000 57.000 - 69.832: 2 ##################### 69.832 - 85.503: 5 ##################################################### 85.503 - 104.641: 1 ########### 104.641 - 128.013: 2 ##################### 128.013 - 156.556: 2 ##################### 156.556 - 191.414: 1 ########### 191.414 - 233.984: 4 ########################################## 233.984 - 285.973: 1 ########### 285.973 - 427.000: 2 ##################### By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 1389 Range: 1.000 - 511.000; Mean: 120.163; Median: 97.000; Stddev: 88.429 Percentiles: 90th: 226.000; 95th: 296.000; 99th: 449.000 1.000 - 2.482: 4 # 2.482 - 5.063: 2 | 5.063 - 9.556: 7 # 9.556 - 17.379: 29 #### 17.379 - 31.000: 68 ######### 31.000 - 54.715: 216 ############################# 54.715 - 96.006: 366 ################################################## 96.006 - 167.897: 389 ##################################################### 167.897 - 293.067: 238 ################################ 293.067 - 511.000: 70 ########## Defaulted: Count: 459 Range: 57.000 - 522.000; Mean: 128.660; Median: 119.000; Stddev: 58.895 Percentiles: 90th: 193.000; 95th: 232.000; 99th: 352.000 57.000 - 71.266: 35 ################# 71.266 - 89.042: 108 ##################################################### 89.042 - 111.189: 57 ############################ 111.189 - 138.784: 98 ################################################ 138.784 - 173.167: 94 ############################################## 173.167 - 216.006: 34 ################# 216.006 - 269.383: 18 ######### 269.383 - 335.889: 10 ##### 335.889 - 418.753: 3 # 418.753 - 522.000: 2 # Mediated: Count: 908 Range: 24.000 - 557.000; Mean: 102.939; Median: 78.000; Stddev: 75.332 Percentiles: 90th: 188.000; 95th: 228.000; 99th: 437.000 24.000 - 33.104: 29 ##### 33.104 - 45.524: 67 ############ 45.524 - 62.467: 136 ######################## 62.467 - 85.580: 303 ##################################################### 85.580 - 117.110: 138 ######################## 117.110 - 160.123: 106 ################### 160.123 - 218.799: 76 ############# 218.799 - 298.844: 22 #### 298.844 - 408.039: 18 ### 408.039 - 557.000: 13 ## Heard: Count: 345 Range: 3.000 - 511.000; Mean: 146.780; Median: 123.000; Stddev: 98.751 Percentiles: 90th: 298.000; 95th: 350.000; 99th: 468.000 3.000 - 5.498: 1 # 5.498 - 9.556: 5 ### 9.556 - 16.148: 2 # 16.148 - 26.858: 9 ##### 26.858 - 44.255: 13 ####### 44.255 - 72.517: 33 ################# 72.517 - 118.428: 104 ##################################################### 118.428 - 193.012: 98 ################################################## 193.012 - 314.173: 50 ######################### 314.173 - 511.000: 30 ############### Other Outcome: Count: 149 Range: 32.000 - 562.000; Mean: 145.765; Median: 115.000; Stddev: 102.143 Percentiles: 90th: 295.000; 95th: 371.000; 99th: 480.000 32.000 - 42.824: 7 ############### 42.824 - 57.199: 17 ###################################### 57.199 - 76.288: 18 ######################################## 76.288 - 101.639: 20 ############################################ 101.639 - 135.305: 24 ##################################################### 135.305 - 180.013: 23 ################################################### 180.013 - 239.386: 18 ######################################## 239.386 - 318.234: 11 ######################## 318.234 - 422.944: 7 ############### 422.944 - 562.000: 4 ######### -- 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. -- When Citing This Work, Please Credit: MassLandlords, Inc. Available online at https://masslandlords.net/policy/eviction-data/.