Outcomes for October 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: 2022-10-01 Search Period End: 2022-10-31 Earliest Case: 2022-10-03 Latest Case: 2022-10-31 Total Cases: 3617 Total Transfers: 87 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 26.5% Of those, percentage pro se: 43.7% Most common cause: Non-payment Least stable municipality/neighborhood: Lenox Dale Least stable with 10+ filings: North Adams Least stable with 100+ filings: Lawrence Least stable county: Hampden 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 northeast 714 19.7% eastern 568 15.7% central 558 15.4% western 544 15.0% southeast 396 10.9% metro_south 337 9.3% lynn district 43 1.2% quincy district 40 1.1% lowell district 31 0.9% malden district 31 0.9% bmc west roxbury 23 0.6% northern berkshire district 20 0.6% chelsea district 19 0.5% fall river district 19 0.5% bmc east boston 17 0.5% brockton district 17 0.5% cambridge district 17 0.5% haverhill district 15 0.4% attleboro district 14 0.4% pittsfield district 14 0.4% waltham district 14 0.4% somerville district 12 0.3% woburn district 11 0.3% barnstable district 10 0.3% newburyport district 9 0.2% peabody district 9 0.2% springfield district 8 0.2% dedham district 7 0.2% fallmouth district 7 0.2% salem district 6 0.2% hingham district 5 0.1% lawrence district 5 0.1% milford district 5 0.1% new bedford district 5 0.1% eastern hampshire district 4 0.1% nantucket district 4 0.1% orleans district 4 0.1% plymouth district 4 0.1% stoughton district 4 0.1% wareham district 4 0.1% worcester district 4 0.1% wrentham district 4 0.1% ayer district 3 0.1% bmc brighton 3 0.1% brookline district 3 0.1% concord district 3 0.1% southern berkshire district 3 0.1% taunton district 3 0.1% westfield district 3 0.1% clinton district 2 0.1% northampton district 2 0.1% bmc central 1 0.0% bmc dorchester 1 0.0% bmc south boston 1 0.0% chicopee district 1 0.0% edgartown district 1 0.0% framingham district 1 0.0% natick district 1 0.0% newton district 1 0.0% palmer district 1 0.0% uxbridge district 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 2659 5 Natural Person 958 3612 Total 3617 3617 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 73.5% 0.1% Natural Person 26.5% 99.9% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 2624 35 2659 Optional 539 419 958 Total 3163 454 3617 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 72.5% 1.0% 73.5% Optional 14.9% 11.6% 26.5% Total 87.4% 12.6% 100.0% Defendant Representation Note: Limited Assistance Representation should be reflected here. Tenancy preservation or other social services may not be reflected. (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 2 3 5 Optional 204 3408 3612 Total 206 3411 3617 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% Optional 5.6% 94.2% 99.9% Total 5.7% 94.3% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 122 3.4% 1 2543 70.3% 2 797 22.0% 3 118 3.3% 4 29 0.8% 5 5 0.1% 6 2 0.1% 8 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 2420 66.9% Cause 610 16.9% No Fault 553 15.3% Foreclosure 33 0.9% Unknown/Other 1 0.0% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Lenox Dale 214 1 North Adams 211 29 Leeds 196 2 Holyoke 150 60 Buzzards Bay 145 5 Lawrence 142 109 Springfield 139 214 Fall River 138 123 Indian Orchard 138 14 West Wareham 138 3 West Springfield 133 38 Charlestown 131 22 Warwick 128 1 Stoughton 126 34 Worcester 126 229 Lowell 118 126 Peabody 117 60 Bridgewater 116 31 Fitchburg 116 47 Ashfield 115 2 New Bedford 115 110 Revere 115 60 Chicopee 113 63 Webster 113 19 West Yarmouth 113 6 Dorchester 111 103 Norwood 111 32 Sunderland 108 4 Southbridge 107 18 Adams 106 9 Hyannis 106 15 Florence 105 1 Vineyard Haven 105 2 Berlin 104 3 Three Rivers 102 3 Haverhill 101 62 Lynn 101 92 Great Barrington 98 7 South Chatham 97 1 Ware 91 9 Woburn 91 35 Chelsea 90 32 Tewksbury 89 26 Haydenville 88 1 Marlborough 88 34 Westborough 87 16 Pittsfield 84 38 Brockton 81 76 Randolph 80 26 Roxbury 80 48 Mattapan 79 29 Roslindale 79 23 Charlemont 78 1 Millers Falls 77 1 Salem 77 32 Warren 77 4 Everett 74 31 North Billerica 74 8 Amesbury 73 12 Framingham 73 50 Quincy 73 68 Jamaica Plain 72 27 Athol 69 8 Lunenburg 69 7 Greenfield 68 12 Rockland 68 12 Wakefield 68 17 Winthrop 68 12 Malden 67 40 Lakeville 66 7 Orange 63 5 Sheffield 61 2 Cambridge 60 64 Saugus 60 16 Marshfield 59 15 Spencer 59 7 Waltham 59 36 Allston 58 17 Clarksburg 58 1 Nantucket 58 6 Whitinsville 57 4 Abington 56 9 Russell 56 1 Erving 55 1 Braintree 53 19 Ipswich 53 7 Buckland 52 1 Danvers 52 14 Canton 51 11 East Falmouth 51 3 Gardner 49 10 Truro 49 1 Hull 48 5 Taunton 48 27 Turners Falls 48 2 East Boston 46 19 Groveland 46 3 Attleborough 45 20 Beverly 45 18 West Dennis 45 1 Wrentham 45 5 Clinton 44 6 Dalton 44 3 South Grafton 44 2 South Yarmouth 43 5 Swampscott 43 6 Dorchester Center 42 39 Natick 42 14 North Brookfield 42 2 Foxborough 41 7 Westfield 41 17 Dracut 40 12 Watertown 40 13 Cohasset 39 3 Lenox 39 2 Yarmouth Port 39 2 East Dennis 38 1 Hadley 38 2 Uxbridge 37 5 Wellfleet 36 1 Chelmsford 35 12 Dudley 35 4 Tyngsborough 35 4 Gloucester 34 10 Leominster 34 14 Pocasset 34 1 Somerville 34 26 Lee 33 2 Orleans 33 2 Shrewsbury 33 12 Dedham 32 8 East Wareham 32 7 Fiskdale 32 1 Hyde Park 32 11 Palmer 32 4 Wareham 32 7 Brighton 31 14 East Taunton 31 2 Auburn 30 5 Bellingham 30 5 Brewster 30 3 Cheshire 30 1 Medford 30 17 Billerica 29 12 Hanson 29 3 South Easton 29 3 Weymouth 29 16 Jefferson 28 1 Milford 28 8 Newburyport 28 5 North Andover 28 8 South Hadley 28 5 Acton 27 6 Cherry Valley 27 3 Hingham 27 6 Holbrook 27 3 Stoneham 27 6 West Brookfield 27 1 Whitman 27 4 Ayer 26 2 Halifax 26 2 North Reading 26 4 Pepperell 26 3 Sterling 25 2 Agawam 24 7 Easthampton 24 4 Edgartown 24 1 North Attleborough 24 7 Salisbury 24 2 Blackstone 22 2 Concord 22 4 E. Boston 22 9 Millbury 22 3 Milton 22 6 Scituate 22 4 Townsend 22 2 Andover 21 7 Plymouth 21 12 Belchertown 20 3 Bolton 20 1 Hopkinton 20 3 Hudson 20 4 Marion 20 1 Walpole 20 5 Westwood 20 3 Acushnet 19 2 Longmeadow 19 3 Maynard 19 2 Northbridge 19 3 Westport 19 3 Winchendon 19 2 Amherst 18 7 Barre 18 1 Fairhaven 18 3 Ludlow 18 4 Mansfield 17 4 Middleborough 17 4 Sharon 17 3 Ashburnham 16 1 Burlington 16 4 East Weymouth 16 9 Granby 16 1 Methuen 16 8 Topsfield 16 1 Bedford 15 2 Berkley 15 1 Brookline 15 9 Franklin 15 5 Lincoln 15 1 Merrimac 15 1 Hanover 14 2 Mashpee 14 2 Northborough 14 2 South Boston 14 5 South Weymouth 14 8 Upton 13 1 West Boylston 13 1 Ashland 12 2 Plainville 12 1 Rutland 12 1 Swansea 12 2 Williamstown 12 1 Grafton 11 2 Melrose 11 3 Middleton 11 1 Pembroke 11 2 Somerset 11 2 Sudbury 11 2 Auburndale 10 1 Boston 10 65 North Chelmsford 10 1 Northampton 10 3 Roxbury Crossing 10 6 Sturbridge 10 1 Wellesley Hills 10 3 Norwell 9 1 Rochdale 9 1 Carver 8 1 Groton 8 1 Reading 8 2 South Dartmouth 8 3 Arlington 7 3 Centerville 7 1 Dennis 7 1 East Bridgewater 7 1 North Easton 7 1 Wayland 7 1 Lexington 6 2 Needham Heights 6 2 West Roxbury 6 2 Holden 5 1 Marblehead 5 1 Norton 5 1 Barnstable 4 2 Belmont 4 1 North Dartmouth 4 1 Wilmington 4 1 East Walpole 3 1 Falmouth 3 1 North Weymouth 3 2 Wellesley 3 1 Newton Highlands 1 1 (not given) 0 15 span 0 2 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 602 428 Berkshire 594 96 Plymouth 497 215 Essex 432 475 Worcester 414 461 Bristol 382 315 Norfolk 346 295 Franklin 284 30 Barnstable 279 54 Suffolk 275 543 Middlesex 274 641 Hampshire 206 38 Nantucket 170 6 Dukes 73 3 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 3194 88.3% Ongoing/Error 423 11.7% 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 1144 35.8% Dismissed 1085 34.0% Defaulted 772 24.2% Heard 193 6.0% Other 0 0.0% Total 3194 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 124 111 209 44 0 Foreclosure 1 11 17 2 0 No Fault 118 121 270 25 0 Non-payment 842 529 648 122 0 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 0 0 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 3.9% 3.5% 6.5% 1.4% 0.0% Foreclosure 0.0% 0.3% 0.5% 0.1% 0.0% No Fault 3.7% 3.8% 8.5% 0.8% 0.0% Non-payment 26.4% 16.6% 20.3% 3.8% 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 1008 31.6% 27.9% Judgment inferred 196 6.1% 5.4% No judgment 1990 62.3% 55.0% Total 3194 100.0% 33.3% Judgments by reason, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 156 4.9% 0 37,612 3,193 5,137 498,155 Foreclosure 10 0.3% 0 20,879 2,474 6,186 24,745 No fault 164 5.1% 0 77,572 4,278 7,948 701,727 Non-payment 678 21.2% 0 77,358 8,760 8,695 5,939,477 Subtotal 1008 31.6% 0 77,572 7,107 8,445 7,164,106 Judgments by outcome, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 84 2.6% 182 25,225 4,608 4,553 387,072 Defaulted 361 11.3% 0 77,572 8,216 10,248 2,966,291 Mediated 507 15.9% 0 73,823 6,811 7,544 3,453,415 Heard 56 1.8% 0 28,144 6,380 6,470 357,326 Subtotal 1008 31.6% 0 77,572 7,107 8,445 7,164,106 By prevailing party, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed defendant 4 0.3% 0.1% 0.1% plaintiff 1076 89.4% 33.7% 29.7% unknown 124 10.3% 3.9% 3.4% Total 1204 100.0% 37.7% 33.3% Judgments All Cases: Count: 1008 Range: 0.000 - 77572.600; Mean: 7107.248; Median: 4625.215; Stddev: 8450.027 Percentiles: 90th: 16849.560; 95th: 21234.150; 99th: 35632.840 0.000 - 102.698: 1 | 102.698 - 215.321: 67 ################ 215.321 - 450.258: 63 ############### 450.258 - 940.352: 35 ######## 940.352 - 1962.717: 84 #################### 1962.717 - 4095.433: 166 ####################################### 4095.433 - 8544.410: 228 ##################################################### 8544.410 - 17825.247: 227 ##################################################### 17825.247 - 37185.639: 80 ################### 37185.639 - 77572.600: 10 ## Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 156 Range: 0.000 - 37612.060; Mean: 3193.304; Median: 264.035; Stddev: 5154.472 Percentiles: 90th: 10638.110; 95th: 13157.150; 99th: 22686.070 0.000 - 268.989: 55 ##################################################### 268.989 - 466.269: 3 ### 466.269 - 807.703: 4 #### 807.703 - 1398.620: 3 ### 1398.620 - 2421.321: 14 ############# 2421.321 - 4191.307: 11 ########### 4191.307 - 7254.619: 14 ############# 7254.619 - 12556.288: 19 ################## 12556.288 - 21731.879: 7 ####### 21731.879 - 37612.060: 2 ## Foreclosure: Count: 10 Range: 0.000 - 20879.980; Mean: 2474.560; Median: 225.920; Stddev: 6520.783 Percentiles: 90th: 2775.860; 95th: 20879.980; 99th: 20879.980 0.000 - 270.445: 5 ##################################################### 270.445 - 3029.386: 1 ########### 3029.386 - 20879.980: 1 ########### No Fault: Count: 164 Range: 0.000 - 77572.600; Mean: 4278.828; Median: 1664.095; Stddev: 7973.306 Percentiles: 90th: 10016.660; 95th: 15638.950; 99th: 39923.130 0.000 - 264.014: 49 ##################################################### 264.014 - 497.102: 5 ##### 497.102 - 935.198: 6 ###### 935.198 - 1758.613: 12 ############# 1758.613 - 3306.246: 15 ################ 3306.246 - 6215.072: 31 ################################## 6215.072 - 11682.299: 24 ########################## 11682.299 - 21958.122: 7 ######## 21958.122 - 41271.850: 3 ### 41271.850 - 77572.600: 1 # Non-payment: Count: 678 Range: 0.000 - 77358.140; Mean: 8760.291; Median: 6387.875; Stddev: 8702.402 Percentiles: 90th: 18825.320; 95th: 22993.920; 99th: 39181.380 0.000 - 102.669: 1 | 102.669 - 215.201: 7 ## 215.201 - 449.883: 7 ## 449.883 - 939.310: 24 ####### 939.310 - 1960.000: 63 ################## 1960.000 - 4088.634: 122 ################################## 4088.634 - 8527.866: 173 ################################################ 8527.866 - 17785.810: 190 ##################################################### 17785.810 - 37093.101: 75 ##################### 37093.101 - 77358.140: 7 ## Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 84 Range: 182.000 - 25225.340; Mean: 4608.011; Median: 3139.270; Stddev: 4581.267 Percentiles: 90th: 10681.740; 95th: 12368.380; 99th: 25225.340 182.000 - 298.496: 8 ########################### 298.496 - 489.153: 3 ########## 489.153 - 801.180: 7 ####################### 801.180 - 1311.842: 6 #################### 1311.842 - 2147.586: 10 ################################# 2147.586 - 3515.357: 10 ################################# 3515.357 - 5753.841: 16 ##################################################### 5753.841 - 9417.324: 9 ############################## 9417.324 - 15412.949: 14 ############################################## 15412.949 - 25225.340: 1 ### Defaulted: Count: 361 Range: 0.000 - 77572.600; Mean: 8216.874; Median: 5298.500; Stddev: 10262.488 Percentiles: 90th: 18567.610; 95th: 25603.950; 99th: 57962.090 0.000 - 264.014: 53 ################################### 264.014 - 497.102: 4 ### 497.102 - 935.198: 7 ##### 935.198 - 1758.613: 22 ############## 1758.613 - 3306.246: 41 ########################### 3306.246 - 6215.072: 59 ####################################### 6215.072 - 11682.299: 81 ##################################################### 11682.299 - 21958.122: 62 ######################################### 21958.122 - 41271.850: 17 ########### 41271.850 - 77572.600: 5 ### Mediated: Count: 507 Range: 0.000 - 73823.050; Mean: 6811.470; Median: 4589.870; Stddev: 7552.002 Percentiles: 90th: 16881.760; 95th: 20948.960; 99th: 32730.000 0.000 - 102.186: 1 | 102.186 - 213.188: 30 ############# 213.188 - 443.601: 32 ############## 443.601 - 921.880: 16 ####### 921.880 - 1914.671: 38 ################# 1914.671 - 3975.456: 85 ##################################### 3975.456 - 8253.136: 121 ##################################################### 8253.136 - 17132.538: 110 ################################################ 17132.538 - 35563.971: 45 #################### 35563.971 - 73823.050: 3 # Heard: Count: 56 Range: 0.000 - 28144.370; Mean: 6380.824; Median: 4202.130; Stddev: 6528.851 Percentiles: 90th: 16299.720; 95th: 19809.130; 99th: 28144.370 0.000 - 328.471: 2 ########## 328.471 - 884.237: 1 ##### 884.237 - 1450.043: 1 ##### 1450.043 - 2377.491: 5 ######################## 2377.491 - 3897.725: 4 ################### 3897.725 - 6389.630: 9 ########################################### 6389.630 - 10474.259: 11 ##################################################### 10474.259 - 17169.616: 8 ####################################### 17169.616 - 28144.370: 4 ################### 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 1016 84.4% 31.8% 28.1% Issued 803 66.7% 25.1% 22.2% Levied 193 16.0% 6.0% 5.3% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 28 14.5% 2.3% 0.9% 0.8% Foreclosure 6 3.1% 0.5% 0.2% 0.2% No Fault 39 20.2% 3.2% 1.2% 1.1% Non-payment 120 62.2% 10.0% 3.8% 3.3% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 193 100.0% 16.0% 6.0% 5.3% 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 19 9.8% 1.6% 0.6% 0.5% Defaulted 69 35.8% 5.7% 2.2% 1.9% Mediated 104 53.9% 8.6% 3.3% 2.9% Heard 1 0.5% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Outcomes 193 100.0% 16.0% 6.0% 5.3% 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 6 33 18.2% No Fault 39 553 7.1% Non-payment 120 2420 5.0% Cause 28 610 4.6% Unknown/Other 0 1 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 Mediated 104 1144 9.1% Defaulted 69 772 8.9% Dismissed 19 1085 1.8% Heard 1 193 0.5% Other 0 0 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 0 570 114 119 Non-payment 1 574 99 93 No Fault 0 541 96 99 Foreclosure 22 529 131 137 Unknown/Other 0 0 0 0 All Reasons 0 574 101 99 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 0 564 87 91 Defaulted 17 545 83 67 Mediated 3 574 117 108 Heard 0 550 155 149 Other 0 0 0 0 All Outcomes 0 574 101 99 All Cases: Count: 3194 Range: 0.000 - 574.000; Mean: 101.367; Median: 65.000; Stddev: 99.680 Percentiles: 90th: 211.000; 95th: 320.000; 99th: 529.000 0.000 - 2.523: 6 | 2.523 - 5.205: 13 # 5.205 - 9.930: 32 ## 9.930 - 18.252: 70 #### 18.252 - 32.912: 347 #################### 32.912 - 58.733: 899 ##################################################### 58.733 - 104.215: 869 ################################################### 104.215 - 184.328: 534 ############################### 184.328 - 325.441: 267 ################ 325.441 - 574.000: 155 ######### By Reason Cause: Count: 488 Range: 0.000 - 570.000; Mean: 114.891; Median: 67.000; Stddev: 119.067 Percentiles: 90th: 282.000; 95th: 374.000; 99th: 535.000 0.000 - 7.030: 4 ## 7.030 - 11.897: 4 ## 11.897 - 19.714: 10 #### 19.714 - 32.269: 63 ######################### 32.269 - 52.432: 71 ############################ 52.432 - 84.816: 135 ##################################################### 84.816 - 136.828: 91 #################################### 136.828 - 220.362: 46 ################## 220.362 - 354.524: 36 ############## 354.524 - 570.000: 27 ########### Non-payment: Count: 2141 Range: 1.000 - 574.000; Mean: 99.097; Median: 65.000; Stddev: 93.809 Percentiles: 90th: 205.000; 95th: 283.000; 99th: 521.000 1.000 - 2.523: 4 | 2.523 - 5.205: 10 # 5.205 - 9.930: 23 ## 9.930 - 18.252: 53 ##### 18.252 - 32.912: 227 #################### 32.912 - 58.733: 601 ##################################################### 58.733 - 104.215: 568 ################################################## 104.215 - 184.328: 380 ################################## 184.328 - 325.441: 189 ################# 325.441 - 574.000: 86 ######## No Fault: Count: 534 Range: 0.000 - 541.000; Mean: 96.365; Median: 60.000; Stddev: 99.567 Percentiles: 90th: 207.000; 95th: 312.000; 99th: 535.000 0.000 - 4.044: 3 # 4.044 - 7.482: 2 | 7.482 - 13.262: 3 # 13.262 - 22.981: 17 #### 22.981 - 39.324: 69 ################# 39.324 - 66.803: 216 ##################################################### 66.803 - 113.008: 105 ########################## 113.008 - 190.701: 57 ############## 190.701 - 321.338: 36 ######### 321.338 - 541.000: 25 ###### Foreclosure: Count: 31 Range: 22.000 - 529.000; Mean: 131.419; Median: 74.000; Stddev: 137.048 Percentiles: 90th: 332.000; 95th: 471.000; 99th: 529.000 22.000 - 30.476: 3 ########################### 30.476 - 42.076: 2 ################## 42.076 - 57.951: 6 ##################################################### 57.951 - 79.677: 6 ##################################################### 79.677 - 109.408: 3 ########################### 109.408 - 150.097: 5 ############################################ 150.097 - 205.781: 1 ######### 205.781 - 386.276: 2 ################## 386.276 - 529.000: 3 ########################### By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 1085 Range: 0.000 - 564.000; Mean: 87.594; Median: 55.000; Stddev: 91.793 Percentiles: 90th: 193.000; 95th: 264.000; 99th: 525.000 0.000 - 2.517: 6 # 2.517 - 5.183: 12 ## 5.183 - 9.873: 25 #### 9.873 - 18.118: 57 ######### 18.118 - 32.615: 157 ######################### 32.615 - 58.107: 332 ##################################################### 58.107 - 102.930: 215 ################################## 102.930 - 181.745: 155 ######################### 181.745 - 320.327: 84 ############# 320.327 - 564.000: 41 ####### Defaulted: Count: 772 Range: 17.000 - 545.000; Mean: 83.247; Median: 61.500; Stddev: 67.860 Percentiles: 90th: 150.000; 95th: 198.000; 99th: 403.000 17.000 - 24.320: 12 ## 24.320 - 34.617: 70 ############## 34.617 - 49.101: 127 ########################## 49.101 - 69.476: 261 ##################################################### 69.476 - 98.136: 110 ###################### 98.136 - 138.452: 103 ##################### 138.452 - 195.163: 45 ######### 195.163 - 274.936: 25 ##### 274.936 - 387.151: 11 ## 387.151 - 545.000: 8 ## Mediated: Count: 1144 Range: 3.000 - 574.000; Mean: 117.485; Median: 72.500; Stddev: 108.424 Percentiles: 90th: 256.000; 95th: 351.000; 99th: 535.000 3.000 - 5.574: 1 | 5.574 - 9.804: 1 | 9.804 - 16.756: 3 | 16.756 - 28.181: 78 ########## 28.181 - 46.958: 106 ############## 46.958 - 77.818: 411 ##################################################### 77.818 - 128.535: 235 ############################## 128.535 - 211.886: 151 ################### 211.886 - 348.870: 98 ############# 348.870 - 574.000: 60 ######## Heard: Count: 193 Range: 0.000 - 550.000; Mean: 155.731; Median: 105.000; Stddev: 149.267 Percentiles: 90th: 437.000; 95th: 522.000; 99th: 542.000 0.000 - 11.215: 6 ####### 11.215 - 17.651: 5 ###### 17.651 - 27.478: 4 ##### 27.478 - 42.483: 8 ########## 42.483 - 65.393: 39 ############################################### 65.393 - 100.374: 28 ################################## 100.374 - 153.787: 44 ##################################################### 153.787 - 235.341: 23 ############################ 235.341 - 359.866: 11 ############# 359.866 - 550.000: 24 ############################# -- 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/.