Outcomes for 2022

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: 2022-01-01 Search Period End: 2022-12-31 Earliest Case: 2022-01-03 Latest Case: 2022-12-30 Total Cases: 32683 Total Transfers: 825 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 31.0% Of those, percentage pro se: 44.6% Most common cause: Non-payment Least stable municipality/neighborhood: Florence Least stable with 10+ filings: Florence Least stable with 100+ filings: Springfield Least stable county: Hampden Cases per day: 89 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 6009 18.4% central 5065 15.5% western 4906 15.0% eastern 4694 14.4% southeast 4155 12.7% metro_south 3117 9.5% quincy district 393 1.2% lynn district 340 1.0% malden district 310 0.9% pittsfield district 246 0.8% fall river district 229 0.7% brockton district 201 0.6% lowell district 176 0.5% chelsea district 165 0.5% somerville district 159 0.5% attleboro district 145 0.4% haverhill district 140 0.4% waltham district 140 0.4% cambridge district 129 0.4% bmc east boston 121 0.4% northern berkshire district 121 0.4% bmc west roxbury 99 0.3% woburn district 96 0.3% barnstable district 94 0.3% salem district 89 0.3% wrentham district 85 0.3% framingham district 84 0.3% springfield district 82 0.3% fallmouth district 77 0.2% new bedford district 73 0.2% peabody district 73 0.2% lawrence district 69 0.2% newburyport district 54 0.2% chicopee district 49 0.1% dedham district 48 0.1% milford district 46 0.1% orleans district 46 0.1% westfield district 38 0.1% bmc brighton 36 0.1% stoughton district 31 0.1% edgartown district 30 0.1% newton district 30 0.1% concord district 27 0.1% gloucester district 26 0.1% plymouth district 25 0.1% ayer district 24 0.1% palmer district 24 0.1% wareham district 23 0.1% nantucket district 21 0.1% worcester district 20 0.1% bmc central 19 0.1% brookline district 19 0.1% taunton district 19 0.1% southern berkshire district 17 0.1% hingham district 16 0.0% bmc roxbury 14 0.0% clinton district 14 0.0% eastern hampshire district 14 0.0% northampton district 11 0.0% holyoke district 10 0.0% bmc dorchester 9 0.0% uxbridge district 9 0.0% orange district 6 0.0% bmc south boston 5 0.0% fitchburg district 5 0.0% greenfield district 5 0.0% natick district 5 0.0% bmc charlestown 3 0.0% ipswich district 2 0.0% gardner district court 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 22540 140 Natural Person 10143 32543 Total 32683 32683 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 69.0% 0.4% Natural Person 31.0% 99.6% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 22267 273 22540 Optional 5621 4522 10143 Total 27888 4795 32683 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 68.1% 0.8% 69.0% Optional 17.2% 13.8% 31.0% Total 85.3% 14.7% 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 38 102 140 Optional 2260 30283 32543 Total 2298 30385 32683 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.1% 0.3% 0.4% Optional 6.9% 92.7% 99.6% Total 7.0% 93.0% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 1340 4.1% 1 22585 69.1% 2 7158 21.9% 3 1135 3.5% 4 347 1.1% 5 84 0.3% 6 19 0.1% 7 4 0.0% 8 6 0.0% 9 1 0.0% 10 3 0.0% 13 1 0.0% Total 32683 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 20049 61.3% Cause 6449 19.7% No Fault 5754 17.6% Foreclosure 419 1.3% Unknown/Other 12 0.0% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Florence 6540 62 Springfield 1343 2056 Fall River 1338 1189 Holyoke 1316 525 North Adams 1298 178 Monroe Bridge 1190 1 New Bedford 1162 1105 Worcester 1120 2028 Pittsfield 1104 494 Lynn 1032 933 Indian Orchard 1022 103 East Falmouth 1020 59 Three Rivers 1020 30 Lowell 987 1052 Norwood 985 282 Fitchburg 959 387 Chicopee 958 530 Southbridge 956 160 Randolph 952 306 Chestnut Hill 942 20 Lawrence 933 713 Buzzards Bay 932 32 Hyannis 929 131 Turners Falls 926 38 Woronoco 900 1 Chelsea 864 304 Lenox Dale 858 4 Haverhill 852 519 Brockton 837 786 Revere 834 432 Webster 829 139 Dorchester 808 744 Gardner 800 162 Framingham 797 545 Rockland 789 138 Stoughton 778 210 Malden 758 451 Everett 753 314 Quincy 751 693 Greenfield 750 131 Mattapan 748 273 Athol 733 85 Marlborough 732 282 Sunderland 732 27 Gilbertville 695 8 West Yarmouth 682 36 Bridgewater 677 180 Salem 672 278 West Springfield 672 191 Adams 671 57 Whitinsville 648 45 Vineyard Haven 635 12 Peabody 614 315 Taunton 603 337 Mount Washington 598 1 West Wareham 598 13 Hyde Park 595 199 Ware 577 57 Orange 574 45 Dennis Port 569 18 South Yarmouth 559 65 Plainville 556 46 West Hyannisport 555 1 Middleborough 553 128 Westborough 552 101 Fiskdale 550 17 Woburn 545 208 Saugus 533 142 Waltham 519 315 Warwick 512 4 Amesbury 509 83 Winthrop 502 88 Braintree 495 177 Foxborough 492 83 Berlin 488 14 Jamaica Plain 485 182 Roslindale 484 140 Leominster 480 196 Bondsville 479 9 Roxbury 479 286 Attleborough 477 208 Charlemont 473 6 West Dennis 458 10 Feeding Hills 454 53 East Boston 449 182 North Truro 449 9 Hinsdale 442 9 West Warren 441 5 Beverly 440 174 South Dennis 434 16 West Brookfield 432 16 Gloucester 423 122 Bellingham 422 69 Cambridge 422 444 Clinton 418 57 Ayer 417 31 Pocasset 414 12 Nahant 410 14 Southfield 404 2 Ashfield 402 7 Cheshire 401 13 South Easton 401 41 Wrentham 401 44 Whitman 400 58 Salisbury 398 33 Royalston 397 5 South Chatham 391 4 North Andover 387 110 Methuen 385 182 Spencer 385 45 Charlestown 383 64 Nantucket 383 39 Tewksbury 379 110 East Taunton 375 24 Warren 370 19 Hull 369 38 Winchendon 368 38 Milford 367 103 Cummaquid 364 2 Allston 363 106 Belchertown 354 52 Dorchester Center 350 322 Watertown 350 112 Danvers 347 92 Chilmark 346 3 Edgartown 344 14 Easthampton 342 55 Andover 340 113 East Wareham 334 73 Brighton 332 146 Oak Bluffs 331 15 Westfield 328 135 Great Barrington 323 23 Hadley 323 17 Medford 323 182 Oxford 320 44 Marshfield 318 80 Baldwinville 316 6 Holbrook 315 34 Lakeville 311 33 Somerville 307 233 Swampscott 304 42 North Falmouth 296 8 South Hadley 296 52 North Attleborough 292 84 Wakefield 292 73 Thorndike 289 2 Dracut 288 85 Lunenburg 287 29 Cohasset 278 21 Mashpee 278 39 Millis 278 22 North Brookfield 277 13 Weymouth 277 149 Brewster 274 27 Mansfield 271 63 Abington 269 43 Chelmsford 266 90 North Chelmsford 263 24 Palmer 263 32 Buckland 262 5 Franklin 259 82 Ipswich 258 34 Newton Center 256 10 Canton 255 55 Granville 255 4 Burlington 253 62 Avon 252 11 Newtonville 249 13 Sharon 249 44 Truro 249 5 Maynard 247 25 Chesterfield 245 3 Dudley 245 28 South Deerfield 244 5 Dedham 242 60 Colrain 239 4 Dalton 236 16 Norton 236 45 Lee 235 14 Carver 234 27 East Dennis 233 6 Northborough 233 33 West Bridgewater 231 16 Uxbridge 230 31 Auburn 228 37 East Weymouth 227 122 Shelburne Falls 227 4 Becket 224 4 North Billerica 224 24 Agawam 221 63 Hopedale 219 13 Millbury 218 29 Sandisfield 218 2 Wales 217 4 Billerica 216 87 Sheffield 214 7 Ludlow 213 45 Acton 209 46 Natick 209 69 Plymouth 208 118 Tolland 206 1 Stockbridge 205 4 Provincetown 203 6 Tyngsborough 203 23 Bedford 202 27 East Sandwich 201 7 Eastham 201 10 North Reading 201 30 Blackstone 199 18 Hudson 199 38 Shrewsbury 199 71 West Roxbury 197 60 Leeds 196 2 Melrose 196 53 Rutland 188 15 West Townsend 188 4 South Lancaster 184 3 Bolton 183 9 Wareham 178 39 Yarmouth Port 178 9 Stoneham 177 38 Brookfield 176 6 Hanson 176 18 East Otis 174 1 Harwich Port 172 3 Hingham 171 38 Fairhaven 170 27 Groveland 170 11 Wilmington 170 38 Russell 169 3 Pembroke 168 30 Seekonk 167 23 Erving 166 3 Newburyport 166 29 Marion 163 8 Sagamore 163 6 Northampton 161 46 South Boston 160 54 Forestdale 158 7 Kingston 158 20 Amherst 156 59 Ashland 156 26 Pepperell 156 18 Charlton 154 20 Mendon 154 9 Marblehead 151 30 Monson 151 13 E. Boston 150 61 Mattapoisett 148 9 Chatham 146 9 South Egremont 145 2 Wellfleet 145 4 North Dartmouth 144 34 West Boylston 143 11 North Chatham 142 1 Plympton 141 4 Williamstown 141 11 Bernardston 140 3 Leyden 140 1 Milton 140 38 Sturbridge 140 13 Walpole 137 33 Hanover 136 19 Leicester 136 15 Westwood 136 20 Richmond 135 2 Westport 135 21 Raynham 134 18 South Grafton 134 6 Townsend 134 12 Northbridge 133 21 Florida 132 1 Housatonic 132 1 Northfield 131 4 Westford 127 28 Southwick 126 12 South Weymouth 122 66 Southampton 120 7 Williamsburg 120 3 Arlington 119 51 Lenox 119 6 Clarksburg 117 2 Wendell 117 1 North Grafton 116 9 East Bridgewater 115 16 Rockport 115 8 Cummington 114 1 Jefferson 114 4 Belmont 113 28 Littleton 112 10 Barre 111 6 Centerville 111 15 Lexington 111 35 South Barre 111 6 Windsor 111 1 Merrimac 110 7 Auburndale 109 10 Boston 109 674 West Tisbury 109 3 Halifax 106 8 Upton 106 8 Oakham 105 2 Rowley 102 6 Ashburnham 98 6 Shirley 97 7 Rochester 95 5 Lynnfield 94 11 Berkley 93 6 Boylston 91 4 Cherry Valley 91 10 Cotuit 91 3 Medfield 91 11 Onset 91 20 Bradford 89 12 East Longmeadow 89 14 Hatfield 89 3 Middleton 89 8 Haydenville 88 1 North Oxford 88 2 Reading 88 22 Lancaster 86 7 Brookline 85 50 Essex 85 3 Osterville 85 3 North Easton 84 11 Sudbury 84 15 Wilbraham 84 12 Douglas 82 7 Marstons Mills 82 4 Sagamore Beach 82 3 Westminster 82 6 East Freetown 81 4 Lincoln 78 5 West Chatham 78 1 Acushnet 77 8 Millers Falls 77 1 Rehoboth 77 9 Pelham 75 1 Swansea 75 12 Chester 74 1 Georgetown 73 6 Harwich 73 9 Needham 72 21 Byfield 71 2 Scituate 71 13 Somerset 71 13 North Dighton 70 3 Holden 69 12 Concord 67 12 Hopkinton 67 10 South Dartmouth 67 23 Falmouth 66 21 Hardwick 66 2 Whately 66 1 Topsfield 65 4 Lanesborough 64 2 Longmeadow 63 10 Roxbury Crossing 63 38 Paxton 62 3 Westhampton 62 1 Grafton 61 11 Holliston 59 8 Phillipston 59 1 West Hatfield 59 2 Hampden 58 3 Princeton 58 2 Teaticket 58 1 Norwell 57 6 Brimfield 55 2 Leverett 54 1 Sandwich 53 11 Conway 52 1 Attleboro Falls 50 1 Orleans 50 3 Devens 49 1 Granby 48 3 Medway 47 6 Huntington 45 1 Groton 44 5 Sutton 44 4 Dighton 42 3 Boxborough 40 2 Holland 40 1 Southborough 40 4 Manchester 38 2 Sterling 38 3 West Newton 37 5 Rochdale 36 4 Bourne 35 7 West Barnstable 35 1 Needham Heights 34 10 Ashby 32 1 Newton Upper Falls 32 2 Winchester 32 7 East Walpole 31 8 Newbury 30 2 Stow 30 2 North Hatfield 29 1 North Weymouth 28 16 Duxbury 26 4 Hamilton 25 2 Tisbury 25 1 Newton Highlands 24 21 Sherborn 24 1 Wayland 23 3 Wellesley Hills 23 7 Assonet 22 2 Dennis 21 3 Wellesley 21 6 North Scituate 18 1 Dover 17 1 Weston 17 2 Newton 16 14 Harvard 15 1 East Templeton 12 1 South Attleboro 12 1 South Hamilton 12 1 Templeton 12 1 Dartmouth 11 4 Montague 11 1 Fayville 10 1 Easton 8 2 Norfolk 8 1 West Harwich 8 1 North Uxbridge 7 1 Barnstable 6 3 Newton Lower Falls 5 5 Spring Valley 4 1 (not given) 0 216 South Harwich 0 1 span 0 29 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 5422 3855 Berkshire 5310 857 Plymouth 4609 1990 Bristol 4037 3321 Worcester 3808 4238 Essex 3677 4043 Norfolk 3319 2829 Barnstable 3269 631 Franklin 2787 294 Middlesex 2360 5508 Hampshire 2328 429 Suffolk 2205 4355 Dukes 1170 48 Nantucket 1110 39 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 28206 86.3% Ongoing/Error 4477 13.7% 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 10163 36.0% Dismissed 9540 33.8% Defaulted 6889 24.4% Heard 1603 5.7% Other 11 0.0% Total 28206 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 1232 1223 2120 442 5 Foreclosure 70 124 158 27 0 No Fault 1322 1031 2819 255 1 Non-payment 6916 4511 5065 875 5 Unknown/Other 0 0 1 4 0 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 4.4% 4.3% 7.5% 1.6% 0.0% Foreclosure 0.2% 0.4% 0.6% 0.1% 0.0% No Fault 4.7% 3.7% 10.0% 0.9% 0.0% Non-payment 24.5% 16.0% 18.0% 3.1% 0.0% Unknown/Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Judgments The financial obligation of one party to another, net of counterclaims. Judgments recorded for the plaintiff may be lower than total eviction costs (e.g., moving and storage often not included). Judgments may not be ordered paid if the debtor receives any form of public assistance. Otherwise, judgments are enforceable any time in the 20 years after issuance. Judgments of small amounts typically reflect court filing fees rather than rent arrears. Mediated agreements for judgment are judgments; otherwise mediated agreements are not recorded. Amounts in excess of 100% of cases disposed indicate a judgment was inferred from the docket history but no dollar amount was entered and the case was not yet disposed. Count Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Judgment entered 8797 31.2% 26.9% Judgment inferred 2001 7.1% 6.1% No judgment 17408 61.7% 53.3% Total 28206 100.0% 33.0% Judgments by reason, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 1616 5.7% 0 154,024 3,372 8,017 5,450,457 Foreclosure 120 0.4% 0 71,455 1,840 8,687 220,890 No fault 1543 5.5% 0 77,572 4,348 6,591 6,709,971 Non-payment 5514 19.5% 0 139,211 8,581 9,065 47,318,452 Unknown/Other 4 0.0% 0 64,000 17,423 26,991 69,693 Subtotal 8797 31.2% 0 154,024 6,794 8,825 59,769,466 Judgments by outcome, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 835 3.0% 0 80,646 4,789 6,016 3,999,469 Defaulted 3490 12.4% 0 106,195 7,479 9,395 26,102,886 Mediated 4052 14.4% 0 139,211 6,687 8,464 27,098,957 Heard 414 1.5% 0 154,024 6,147 11,126 2,545,155 Other 6 0.0% 1,038 8,065 3,832 2,697 22,996 Subtotal 8797 31.2% 0 154,024 6,794 8,825 59,769,466 By prevailing party, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed defendant 39 0.4% 0.1% 0.1% plaintiff 9523 88.2% 33.8% 29.1% unknown 1236 11.4% 4.4% 3.8% Total 10798 100.0% 38.3% 33.0% Judgments All Cases: Count: 8797 Range: 0.000 - 154024.760; Mean: 6794.301; Median: 4158.390; Stddev: 8825.943 Percentiles: 90th: 16656.700; 95th: 22214.560; 99th: 41216.170 0.000 - 7.875: 2 | 7.875 - 76.672: 4 | 76.672 - 228.779: 986 #################### 228.779 - 678.763: 606 ############ 678.763 - 2009.965: 955 ################### 2009.965 - 5948.106: 2388 ################################################ 5948.106 - 17598.444: 2648 ##################################################### 17598.444 - 52064.033: 747 ############### 52064.033 - 154024.760: 37 # Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 1616 Range: 0.000 - 154024.760; Mean: 3372.808; Median: 241.315; Stddev: 8020.206 Percentiles: 90th: 9473.830; 95th: 15038.800; 99th: 35519.280 0.000 - 17.413: 1 | 17.413 - 49.230: 1 | 49.230 - 136.022: 7 # 136.022 - 372.783: 641 ##################################################### 372.783 - 1018.644: 66 ##### 1018.644 - 2780.490: 182 ############### 2780.490 - 7586.636: 249 ##################### 7586.636 - 20697.336: 166 ############## 20697.336 - 56462.059: 45 #### 56462.059 - 154024.760: 4 | Foreclosure: Count: 120 Range: 0.000 - 71455.060; Mean: 1840.756; Median: 228.710; Stddev: 8723.813 Percentiles: 90th: 328.710; 95th: 3305.710; 99th: 56896.590 0.000 - 7.219: 1 # 7.219 - 168.001: 6 #### 168.001 - 461.999: 90 ##################################################### 461.999 - 1267.446: 1 # 1267.446 - 3474.071: 3 ## 3474.071 - 9519.407: 1 # 9519.407 - 26081.384: 3 ## 26081.384 - 71455.060: 2 # No Fault: Count: 1543 Range: 0.000 - 77572.600; Mean: 4348.653; Median: 2300.000; Stddev: 6594.109 Percentiles: 90th: 10543.670; 95th: 14938.870; 99th: 31254.010 0.000 - 193.191: 107 ############## 193.191 - 376.817: 394 ##################################################### 376.817 - 734.082: 23 ### 734.082 - 1429.178: 70 ######### 1429.178 - 2781.557: 138 ################### 2781.557 - 5412.747: 290 ####################################### 5412.747 - 10531.997: 288 ####################################### 10531.997 - 20492.020: 115 ############### 20492.020 - 39870.260: 30 #### 39870.260 - 77572.600: 10 # Non-payment: Count: 5514 Range: 0.000 - 139211.670; Mean: 8581.511; Median: 5968.310; Stddev: 9065.992 Percentiles: 90th: 19235.790; 95th: 24995.520; 99th: 42728.190 0.000 - 108.943: 3 | 108.943 - 242.159: 126 #### 242.159 - 536.792: 105 ### 536.792 - 1188.427: 287 ######### 1188.427 - 2629.639: 792 ######################### 2629.639 - 5817.148: 1316 ########################################## 5817.148 - 12866.917: 1650 ##################################################### 12866.917 - 28458.795: 956 ############################### 28458.795 - 62943.134: 188 ###### 62943.134 - 139211.670: 14 | Unknown/Other reason: Count: 4 Range: 0.000 - 64000.000; Mean: 17423.470; Median: 2846.940; Stddev: 31166.815 Percentiles: 90th: 64000.000; 95th: 64000.000; 99th: 64000.000 0.000 - 7252.620: 1 ##################################################### 7252.620 - 64000.000: 1 ##################################################### Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 835 Range: 0.000 - 80646.480; Mean: 4789.784; Median: 2960.910; Stddev: 6020.419 Percentiles: 90th: 11692.660; 95th: 15952.310; 99th: 24609.990 0.000 - 16.260: 1 | 16.260 - 111.847: 3 # 111.847 - 287.548: 134 ############################## 287.548 - 736.815: 52 ############ 736.815 - 1885.583: 127 ############################# 1885.583 - 4822.971: 235 ##################################################### 4822.971 - 12333.836: 202 ############################################## 12333.836 - 31539.030: 73 ################ 31539.030 - 80646.480: 3 # Defaulted: Count: 3490 Range: 0.000 - 106195.590; Mean: 7479.337; Median: 4766.655; Stddev: 9396.915 Percentiles: 90th: 17985.340; 95th: 24597.520; 99th: 45257.380 0.000 - 227.027: 414 ############################# 227.027 - 450.278: 241 ################# 450.278 - 892.105: 57 #### 892.105 - 1766.506: 216 ############### 1766.506 - 3496.995: 420 ############################# 3496.995 - 6921.732: 710 ################################################## 6921.732 - 13699.479: 756 ##################################################### 13699.479 - 27113.027: 420 ############################# 27113.027 - 53659.202: 125 ######### 53659.202 - 106195.590: 19 # Mediated: Count: 4052 Range: 0.000 - 139211.670; Mean: 6687.798; Median: 4105.300; Stddev: 8465.459 Percentiles: 90th: 16448.080; 95th: 21816.680; 99th: 40241.540 0.000 - 7.786: 1 | 7.786 - 74.351: 3 | 74.351 - 219.670: 318 ############## 219.670 - 645.249: 335 ############## 645.249 - 1891.587: 435 ################### 1891.587 - 5541.574: 1095 ############################################### 5541.574 - 16230.822: 1240 ##################################################### 16230.822 - 47535.041: 399 ################# 47535.041 - 139211.670: 18 # Heard: Count: 414 Range: 0.000 - 154024.760; Mean: 6147.719; Median: 2984.605; Stddev: 11139.768 Percentiles: 90th: 15401.030; 95th: 21190.220; 99th: 37383.580 0.000 - 367.147: 55 ###################################### 367.147 - 718.957: 6 #### 718.957 - 1406.967: 8 ###### 1406.967 - 2752.457: 34 ####################### 2752.457 - 5383.733: 60 ######################################### 5383.733 - 10529.525: 77 ##################################################### 10529.525 - 20592.770: 52 #################################### 20592.770 - 40272.714: 19 ############# 40272.714 - 78759.329: 3 ## 78759.329 - 154024.760: 1 # Other Outcome: Count: 6 Range: 1038.540 - 8065.280; Mean: 3832.827; Median: 3224.310; Stddev: 2954.509 Percentiles: 90th: 8065.280; 95th: 8065.280; 99th: 8065.280 1038.540 - 1274.923: 2 ##################################################### 1274.923 - 1921.166: 1 ########################### 1921.166 - 5353.351: 1 ########################### 5353.351 - 6570.887: 1 ########################### 6570.887 - 8065.280: 1 ########################### Executions A levy of execution is a forced (court ordered) move-out, what is commonly meant by "eviction". If an execution is requested but not issued, the court has denied the landlord's request. If an execution is issued but not levied, the renters have left on their own. If an execution is levied, the renters and their belongings were removed per the move-and-store laws. Possession of the housing was returned to the owner. It is not possible to know from court records whether belongings were stored in a licensed and bonded warehouse (renter has not yet obtained new housing) or delivered per the renter's instructions (renter has obtained new housing). The landlord customarily pays for the cost of moving and storage. Executions are considered levied if a return of service appears in the record. Executions for possession only must be returned to the court even if not actually served. Executions for money may be kept (not returned) for attempts to collect. Percentages of judgments in excess of 100% indicate that the judgment for one or more cases was not officially recorded when the record was examined, or was recorded ambiguously. Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Requested 9328 86.4% 33.1% 28.5% Issued 7257 67.2% 25.7% 22.2% Levied 1791 16.6% 6.3% 5.5% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 315 17.6% 2.9% 1.1% 1.0% Foreclosure 78 4.4% 0.7% 0.3% 0.2% No Fault 394 22.0% 3.6% 1.4% 1.2% Non-payment 1004 56.1% 9.3% 3.6% 3.1% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 1791 100.0% 16.6% 6.3% 5.5% 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 197 11.0% 1.8% 0.7% 0.6% Defaulted 706 39.4% 6.5% 2.5% 2.2% Mediated 862 48.1% 8.0% 3.1% 2.6% Heard 26 1.5% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Outcomes 1791 100.0% 16.6% 6.3% 5.5% 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 78 419 18.6% No Fault 394 5754 6.8% Non-payment 1004 20049 5.0% Cause 315 6449 4.9% Unknown/Other 0 12 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 706 6889 10.2% Mediated 862 10163 8.5% Dismissed 197 9540 2.1% Heard 26 1603 1.6% Other 0 11 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 0 623 101 103 Non-payment 0 586 92 89 No Fault 0 671 92 93 Foreclosure 0 591 115 128 Unknown/Other 17 337 136 128 All Reasons 0 671 94 93 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 0 570 83 84 Defaulted 0 589 83 73 Mediated 0 671 108 104 Heard 0 615 114 126 Other 17 183 74 61 All Outcomes 0 671 94 93 All Cases: Count: 28206 Range: 0.000 - 671.000; Mean: 94.376; Median: 63.000; Stddev: 93.365 Percentiles: 90th: 197.000; 95th: 290.000; 99th: 511.000 0.000 - 2.578: 73 | 2.578 - 5.402: 110 # 5.402 - 10.453: 280 ## 10.453 - 19.491: 792 #### 19.491 - 35.661: 3734 #################### 35.661 - 64.589: 9692 ##################################################### 64.589 - 116.346: 7225 ######################################## 116.346 - 208.943: 3721 #################### 208.943 - 374.608: 1721 ######### 374.608 - 671.000: 837 ##### By Reason Cause: Count: 5022 Range: 0.000 - 623.000; Mean: 101.719; Median: 65.000; Stddev: 103.036 Percentiles: 90th: 226.000; 95th: 339.000; 99th: 533.000 0.000 - 2.552: 13 | 2.552 - 5.308: 22 # 5.308 - 10.202: 46 ## 10.202 - 18.893: 120 #### 18.893 - 34.327: 590 #################### 34.327 - 61.737: 1549 ##################################################### 61.737 - 110.414: 1376 ############################################### 110.414 - 196.858: 691 ######################## 196.858 - 350.374: 378 ############# 350.374 - 623.000: 233 ######## Non-payment: Count: 17372 Range: 0.000 - 586.000; Mean: 92.389; Median: 63.000; Stddev: 89.164 Percentiles: 90th: 189.000; 95th: 277.000; 99th: 493.000 0.000 - 2.530: 37 | 2.530 - 5.231: 82 # 5.231 - 9.998: 158 ## 9.998 - 18.412: 586 ###### 18.412 - 33.264: 2008 #################### 33.264 - 59.478: 5283 ##################################################### 59.478 - 105.747: 4794 ################################################ 105.747 - 187.415: 2648 ########################### 187.415 - 331.566: 1174 ############ 331.566 - 586.000: 593 ###### No Fault: Count: 5428 Range: 0.000 - 671.000; Mean: 92.422; Median: 60.000; Stddev: 93.687 Percentiles: 90th: 190.000; 95th: 293.000; 99th: 523.000 0.000 - 2.578: 22 # 2.578 - 5.402: 4 | 5.402 - 10.453: 21 # 10.453 - 19.491: 80 ## 19.491 - 35.661: 760 ################### 35.661 - 64.589: 2071 ##################################################### 64.589 - 116.346: 1351 ################################### 116.346 - 208.943: 644 ################ 208.943 - 374.608: 305 ######## 374.608 - 671.000: 164 #### Foreclosure: Count: 379 Range: 0.000 - 591.000; Mean: 115.559; Median: 64.000; Stddev: 128.253 Percentiles: 90th: 320.000; 95th: 431.000; 99th: 577.000 0.000 - 4.089: 3 ## 4.089 - 7.633: 1 # 7.633 - 13.645: 2 # 13.645 - 23.843: 10 ##### 23.843 - 41.143: 86 ############################################# 41.143 - 70.489: 101 ##################################################### 70.489 - 120.272: 71 ##################################### 120.272 - 204.722: 44 ####################### 204.722 - 347.981: 29 ############### 347.981 - 591.000: 30 ################ Unknown/Other reason: Count: 5 Range: 17.000 - 337.000; Mean: 136.600; Median: 127.000; Stddev: 128.005 Percentiles: 90th: 337.000; 95th: 337.000; 99th: 337.000 17.000 - 23.134: 1 ##################################################### 23.134 - 42.388: 1 ##################################################### 42.388 - 139.224: 1 ##################################################### 139.224 - 187.013: 1 ##################################################### 187.013 - 337.000: 1 ##################################################### By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 9540 Range: 0.000 - 570.000; Mean: 83.640; Median: 57.000; Stddev: 84.215 Percentiles: 90th: 170.000; 95th: 252.000; 99th: 465.000 0.000 - 2.520: 57 # 2.520 - 5.197: 94 ## 5.197 - 9.907: 184 #### 9.907 - 18.199: 530 ########## 18.199 - 32.793: 1289 ######################### 32.793 - 58.483: 2752 ##################################################### 58.483 - 103.702: 2413 ############################################## 103.702 - 183.296: 1377 ########################### 183.296 - 323.396: 544 ########## 323.396 - 570.000: 291 ###### Defaulted: Count: 6889 Range: 0.000 - 589.000; Mean: 83.682; Median: 61.000; Stddev: 73.950 Percentiles: 90th: 155.000; 95th: 221.000; 99th: 451.000 0.000 - 16.715: 22 # 16.715 - 25.153: 249 ####### 25.153 - 37.608: 843 ######################## 37.608 - 55.997: 1758 ################################################## 55.997 - 83.143: 1874 ##################################################### 83.143 - 123.218: 1115 ################################ 123.218 - 182.379: 527 ############### 182.379 - 269.718: 268 ######## 269.718 - 398.655: 135 #### 398.655 - 589.000: 95 ### Mediated: Count: 10163 Range: 0.000 - 671.000; Mean: 108.524; Median: 69.000; Stddev: 104.116 Percentiles: 90th: 239.000; 95th: 341.000; 99th: 532.000 0.000 - 2.578: 3 | 2.578 - 5.402: 3 | 5.402 - 10.453: 4 | 10.453 - 19.491: 142 ## 19.491 - 35.661: 1140 ################## 35.661 - 64.589: 3439 ##################################################### 64.589 - 116.346: 2627 ######################################## 116.346 - 208.943: 1525 ######################## 208.943 - 374.608: 857 ############# 374.608 - 671.000: 416 ###### Heard: Count: 1603 Range: 0.000 - 615.000; Mean: 114.661; Median: 63.000; Stddev: 126.812 Percentiles: 90th: 290.000; 95th: 462.000; 99th: 553.000 0.000 - 2.547: 13 # 2.547 - 5.291: 13 # 5.291 - 10.158: 36 #### 10.158 - 18.790: 73 ######## 18.790 - 34.100: 170 ################## 34.100 - 61.253: 491 ##################################################### 61.253 - 109.412: 295 ################################ 109.412 - 194.826: 250 ########################### 194.826 - 346.317: 134 ############## 346.317 - 615.000: 126 ############## Other Outcome: Count: 11 Range: 17.000 - 183.000; Mean: 74.273; Median: 72.000; Stddev: 61.826 Percentiles: 90th: 165.000; 95th: 183.000; 99th: 183.000 17.000 - 21.711: 4 ##################################################### 21.711 - 27.654: 1 ############# 27.654 - 90.612: 2 ########################### 90.612 - 114.587: 2 ########################### 114.587 - 183.000: 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. Methodology changes: 2022-03: Where docket history shows judgment and/or execution, but case has not been disposed, infer judgment and/or execution. 2022-05: Correct counting error in 'By prevailing party' section where agreement for judgment renders prevailing party unknown. Rows now sum to total. 2023-01: We now report dispositions on the basis of the last disposition found in a docket. Previously we were using a prioritized keyword match, which produced inaccurate results for complex cases. -- When Citing This Work, Please Credit: MassLandlords, Inc. Available online at https://masslandlords.net/policy/eviction-data/.