Outcomes for December 2024

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: 2024-12-01 Search Period End: 2024-12-31 Earliest Case: 2024-12-02 Latest Case: 2024-12-31 Total Cases: 3386 Total Transfers: 72 -- High-level take-aways: Percentage of landlords for whom attorney is optional: 21.1% Of those, percentage pro se: 43.6% Most common cause: Non-payment Least stable municipality/neighborhood: Chestnut Hill Least stable with 10+ filings: Springfield Least stable with 100+ filings: Springfield Least stable county: Hampden Cases per day: 112 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 eastern 611 18.0% northeast 604 17.8% western 526 15.5% central 479 14.1% southeast 411 12.1% metro_south 319 9.4% quincy district 44 1.3% lawrence district 34 1.0% chelsea district 25 0.7% brockton district 24 0.7% malden district 24 0.7% lynn district 23 0.7% lowell district 18 0.5% cambridge district 17 0.5% woburn district 17 0.5% bmc west roxbury 15 0.4% fall river district 15 0.4% springfield district 15 0.4% somerville district 12 0.4% bmc dorchester 11 0.3% haverhill district 11 0.3% holyoke district 9 0.3% waltham district 9 0.3% attleboro district 8 0.2% framingham district 8 0.2% northern berkshire district 8 0.2% peabody district 7 0.2% pittsfield district 7 0.2% hingham district 6 0.2% salem district 6 0.2% worcester district 6 0.2% fallmouth district 5 0.1% barnstable district 4 0.1% bmc brighton 4 0.1% bmc roxbury 3 0.1% palmer district 3 0.1% southern berkshire district 3 0.1% wareham district 3 0.1% westfield district 3 0.1% wrentham district 3 0.1% ayer district 2 0.1% bmc central 2 0.1% bmc east boston 2 0.1% dedham district 2 0.1% eastern hampshire district 2 0.1% fitchburg district 2 0.1% milford district 2 0.1% newburyport district 2 0.1% plymouth district 2 0.1% stoughton district 2 0.1% clinton district 1 0.0% concord district 1 0.0% greenfield district 1 0.0% nantucket district 1 0.0% orange district 1 0.0% orleans district 1 0.0% Party Type (n) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 2671 8 Natural Person 715 3378 Total 3386 3386 (%) Plaintiffs Defendants Corporate Entity 78.9% 0.2% Natural Person 21.1% 99.8% Total 100.0% 100.0% Plaintiff Representation (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 2647 24 2671 Optional 403 312 715 Total 3050 336 3386 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 78.2% 0.7% 78.9% Optional 11.9% 9.2% 21.1% Total 90.1% 9.9% 100.0% Defendant Representation Note: Limited Assistance Representation should be reflected here. Tenancy preservation or other social services may not be reflected. (n) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 4 4 8 Optional 171 3207 3378 Total 175 3211 3386 (%) Has Attorney Pro Se Total Required 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% Optional 5.1% 94.7% 99.8% Total 5.2% 94.8% 100.0% Number of Adults in Households Count Percent 0 76 2.2% 1 2354 69.5% 2 764 22.6% 3 144 4.3% 4 35 1.0% 5 9 0.3% 6 3 0.1% 7 1 0.0% Total 3386 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 2444 72.2% Cause 500 14.8% No Fault 409 12.1% Foreclosure 27 0.8% Unknown/Other 6 0.2% Rate per 100,000 Municipality Residents Count Chestnut Hill 423 9 Gilbertville 260 3 Florence 210 2 Stockbridge 205 4 Berlin 174 5 Springfield 166 255 Holyoke 137 55 North Oxford 132 3 Mattapan 128 47 Granville 127 2 Woods Hole 122 1 Athol 120 14 Lowell 117 125 Wendell 117 1 Framingham 115 79 Norwood 115 33 New Bedford 113 108 Dorchester 110 102 Indian Orchard 109 11 Hyannis 106 15 Lawrence 104 80 Revere 104 54 South Easton 97 10 Fall River 96 86 Roslindale 96 28 Adams 94 8 Lynn 91 83 Salem 91 38 Fitchburg 89 36 Stoughton 89 24 Chelsea 88 31 Spencer 85 10 Leominster 83 34 Chesterfield 81 1 Sunderland 81 3 Ayer 80 6 Oxford 80 11 West Boylston 78 6 Brockton 77 73 Chicopee 77 43 Malden 77 46 Mansfield 77 18 Southbridge 77 13 Woburn 76 29 Lakeville 75 8 Chester 74 1 Randolph 74 24 West Springfield 73 21 North Adams 72 10 Roxbury 72 43 Worcester 72 131 Mashpee 71 10 Webster 71 12 Pocasset 69 2 Hull 68 7 Haverhill 67 41 Seekonk 65 9 Canton 64 14 Orange 63 5 Abington 62 10 Pittsfield 62 28 South Hadley 62 11 Quincy 61 57 Everett 59 25 Feeding Hills 59 7 Taunton 59 33 Buzzards Bay 58 2 Monson 58 5 Andover 57 19 Becket 56 1 Danvers 56 15 North Billerica 56 6 Russell 56 1 West Yarmouth 56 3 Dorchester Center 55 51 Whitman 55 8 Charlestown 53 9 Westfield 53 22 Vineyard Haven 52 1 East Falmouth 51 3 Greenfield 51 9 Rockland 51 9 Braintree 50 18 Lee 50 3 Peabody 50 26 Devens 49 1 Gardner 49 10 North Truro 49 1 West Roxbury 49 15 Granby 48 3 North Attleborough 48 14 Turners Falls 48 2 Foxborough 47 8 Hyde Park 47 16 Holbrook 46 5 West Wareham 46 1 Bridgewater 45 12 Huntington 45 1 West Dennis 45 1 Beverly 43 17 North Chelmsford 43 4 Westborough 43 8 Billerica 42 17 Milford 42 12 Northampton 42 12 Medfield 41 5 Holland 40 1 Marion 40 2 East Weymouth 39 21 Plymouth 38 22 Winchendon 38 4 Allston 37 11 Amherst 37 14 Waltham 37 23 Attleborough 36 16 Hanover 36 5 Holliston 36 5 Roxbury Crossing 36 22 Salisbury 36 3 Dudley 35 4 Wilmington 35 8 Franklin 34 11 Gloucester 34 10 Weymouth 33 18 Chelmsford 32 11 Fiskdale 32 1 Jamaica Plain 32 12 Lanesborough 32 1 Palmer 32 4 Agawam 31 9 Brighton 31 14 Dennis Port 31 1 North Andover 31 9 Watertown 31 10 Bedford 30 4 Bellingham 30 5 Cambridge 30 32 Dracut 30 9 Groveland 30 2 Sheffield 30 1 Clinton 29 4 East Boston 29 12 Hanson 29 3 Lunenburg 29 3 North Dartmouth 29 7 Uxbridge 29 4 Belmont 28 7 Burlington 28 7 East Sandwich 28 1 Belchertown 27 4 East Wareham 27 6 Natick 27 9 Somerville 27 21 Tewksbury 27 8 Westminster 27 2 Carver 26 3 South Boston 26 9 Methuen 25 12 Millis 25 2 Newton Center 25 1 North Grafton 25 2 Amesbury 24 4 Medford 24 14 Plainville 24 2 Kingston 23 3 Wayland 23 3 Avon 22 1 Blackstone 22 2 Millbury 22 3 Raynham 22 3 Somerset 22 4 South Grafton 22 1 Auburndale 21 2 East Bridgewater 21 3 Northborough 21 3 Sturbridge 21 2 Swampscott 21 3 North Reading 20 3 Southborough 20 2 Walpole 20 5 Manchester 19 1 Nantucket 19 2 Warren 19 1 Yarmouth Port 19 1 Acton 18 4 Arlington 18 8 Easthampton 18 3 Fairhaven 18 3 Melrose 18 5 Saugus 18 5 South Barre 18 1 Westford 18 4 Boston 17 110 Pepperell 17 2 Tyngsborough 17 2 Chatham 16 1 Dedham 16 4 Hopedale 16 1 Newton Upper Falls 16 1 Shrewsbury 16 6 Sudbury 16 3 Charlton 15 2 East Taunton 15 1 Medway 15 2 Great Barrington 14 1 Ludlow 14 3 Milton 14 4 South Weymouth 14 8 West Bridgewater 14 1 Whitinsville 14 1 Cohasset 13 1 Duxbury 13 2 Hingham 13 3 Hopkinton 13 2 Shirley 13 1 Stoneham 13 3 Upton 13 1 Wareham 13 3 Ashland 12 2 Auburn 12 2 Boxford 12 1 Sterling 12 1 Wakefield 12 3 Assonet 11 1 Douglas 11 1 Littleton 11 1 Montague 11 1 Newburyport 11 2 Pembroke 11 2 Townsend 11 1 Winthrop 11 2 Brewster 10 1 Hudson 10 2 Needham 10 3 Ware 10 1 Acushnet 9 1 Cherry Valley 9 1 Lexington 9 3 Maynard 9 1 Onset 9 2 Wrentham 9 1 Groton 8 1 Middleborough 8 2 South Yarmouth 8 1 Centerville 7 1 Ipswich 7 1 North Easton 7 1 West Newton 7 1 Needham Heights 6 2 Northbridge 6 1 Westport 6 1 Bourne 5 1 Concord 5 1 Dartmouth 5 2 Holden 5 1 Norton 5 1 Scituate 5 1 Sharon 5 1 South Dartmouth 5 2 Sandwich 4 1 East Walpole 3 1 Falmouth 3 1 Wellesley Hills 3 1 E. Boston 2 1 Marlborough 2 1 Brookline 1 1 Newton 1 1 North Quincy 1 1 (not given) 0 40 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 618 440 Plymouth 442 191 Bristol 390 321 Berkshire 353 57 Norfolk 342 292 Essex 338 372 Worcester 327 365 Suffolk 298 589 Hampshire 282 52 Middlesex 255 595 Barnstable 248 48 Franklin 199 21 Nantucket 56 2 Dukes 24 1 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 3056 90.3% Ongoing/Error 330 9.7% 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 1327 43.4% Dismissed 1009 33.0% Defaulted 644 21.1% Heard 74 2.4% Other 2 0.1% Total 3056 100.0% Outcome by reason: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 122 89 208 15 1 Foreclosure 7 5 11 1 0 No Fault 90 76 209 11 0 Non-payment 789 473 899 45 1 Unknown/Other 1 1 0 2 0 Outcome by reason, as a percent of disposed cases: Dismissed Defaulted Mediated Heard Other Cause 4.0% 2.9% 6.8% 0.5% 0.0% Foreclosure 0.2% 0.2% 0.4% 0.0% 0.0% No Fault 2.9% 2.5% 6.8% 0.4% 0.0% Non-payment 25.8% 15.5% 29.4% 1.5% 0.0% Unknown/Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 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 1549 50.7% 45.7% Judgment inferred 199 6.5% 5.9% No judgment 1308 42.8% 38.6% Total 3056 100.0% 51.6% Judgments by reason, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std Dev Total Cause 211 6.9% 0 30,128 2,160 4,117 455,890 Foreclosure 10 0.3% 0 12,519 1,424 3,700 14,246 No fault 183 6.0% 0 42,892 5,517 6,345 1,009,736 Non-payment 1143 37.4% 0 66,086 7,278 7,044 8,319,025 Unknown/Other 2 0.1% 0 0 0 0 0 Subtotal 1549 50.7% 0 66,086 6,325 6,861 9,798,898 Judgments by outcome, where dollar figures are known, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage Min Max Average Std dev Total Dismissed 117 3.8% 210 34,876 3,990 4,343 466,922 Defaulted 589 19.3% 0 54,263 6,774 7,195 3,990,074 Mediated 817 26.7% 0 66,086 6,332 6,869 5,173,933 Heard 26 0.9% 0 22,589 6,460 5,967 167,967 Subtotal 1549 50.7% 0 66,086 6,325 6,861 9,798,898 By prevailing party, as a percent of disposed cases: Count Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed defendant 9 0.5% 0.3% 0.3% plaintiff 1711 97.9% 56.0% 50.5% unknown 28 1.6% 0.9% 0.8% Total 1748 100.0% 57.2% 51.6% Judgments All Cases: Count: 1549 Range: 0.000 - 66086.150; Mean: 6325.951; Median: 4531.350; Stddev: 6864.208 Percentiles: 90th: 14522.140; 95th: 18387.480; 99th: 30128.310 0.000 - 198.149: 3 | 198.149 - 378.562: 196 ########################## 378.562 - 722.415: 48 ###### 722.415 - 1377.769: 93 ############ 1377.769 - 2626.822: 160 ##################### 2626.822 - 5007.413: 278 ##################################### 5007.413 - 9544.624: 396 ##################################################### 9544.624 - 18192.178: 252 ################################## 18192.178 - 34673.707: 69 ######### 34673.707 - 66086.150: 13 ## Judgments By Reason Cause: Count: 211 Range: 0.000 - 30128.310; Mean: 2160.617; Median: 306.250; Stddev: 4127.522 Percentiles: 90th: 7415.560; 95th: 10175.890; 99th: 17336.750 0.000 - 244.865: 17 ######### 244.865 - 418.497: 98 ##################################################### 418.497 - 714.750: 9 ##### 714.750 - 1220.220: 9 ##### 1220.220 - 2082.659: 11 ###### 2082.659 - 3554.160: 10 ##### 3554.160 - 6064.849: 16 ######### 6064.849 - 10348.614: 16 ######### 10348.614 - 17657.616: 8 #### 17657.616 - 30128.310: 2 # Foreclosure: Count: 10 Range: 0.000 - 12519.830; Mean: 1424.623; Median: 268.030; Stddev: 3900.882 Percentiles: 90th: 328.340; 95th: 12519.830; 99th: 12519.830 0.000 - 376.702: 6 ##################################################### 376.702 - 12519.830: 1 ######### No Fault: Count: 183 Range: 0.000 - 42892.760; Mean: 5517.686; Median: 3944.590; Stddev: 6362.638 Percentiles: 90th: 14021.370; 95th: 18392.380; 99th: 30600.000 0.000 - 343.973: 42 ##################################################### 343.973 - 588.548: 3 #### 588.548 - 1006.519: 1 # 1006.519 - 1720.820: 6 ######## 1720.820 - 2941.539: 16 #################### 2941.539 - 5027.710: 31 ####################################### 5027.710 - 8592.913: 35 ############################################ 8592.913 - 14685.738: 23 ############################# 14685.738 - 25098.192: 14 ################## 25098.192 - 42892.760: 2 ### Non-payment: Count: 1143 Range: 0.000 - 66086.150; Mean: 7278.238; Median: 5630.320; Stddev: 7047.370 Percentiles: 90th: 15278.730; 95th: 19200.000; 99th: 34876.040 0.000 - 198.149: 1 | 198.149 - 378.562: 38 ###### 378.562 - 722.415: 32 ##### 722.415 - 1377.769: 75 ############ 1377.769 - 2626.822: 138 ###################### 2626.822 - 5007.413: 226 #################################### 5007.413 - 9544.624: 333 ##################################################### 9544.624 - 18192.178: 220 ################################### 18192.178 - 34673.707: 57 ######### 34673.707 - 66086.150: 12 ## Judgments By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 117 Range: 210.000 - 34876.040; Mean: 3990.794; Median: 2661.440; Stddev: 4362.376 Percentiles: 90th: 8283.770; 95th: 10198.170; 99th: 15491.220 210.000 - 350.648: 14 ########################### 350.648 - 585.049: 8 ############### 585.049 - 975.696: 5 ######### 975.696 - 1626.741: 17 ################################ 1626.741 - 2711.758: 15 ############################ 2711.758 - 4520.023: 15 ############################ 4520.023 - 7533.639: 28 ##################################################### 7533.639 - 12556.066: 13 ######################### 12556.066 - 20926.334: 1 ## 20926.334 - 34876.040: 1 ## Defaulted: Count: 589 Range: 0.000 - 54263.460; Mean: 6774.321; Median: 4850.220; Stddev: 7201.305 Percentiles: 90th: 15161.880; 95th: 19155.810; 99th: 38468.270 0.000 - 352.181: 96 ###################################### 352.181 - 616.936: 13 ##### 616.936 - 1080.160: 18 ####### 1080.160 - 1890.631: 31 ############ 1890.631 - 3308.656: 61 ######################## 3308.656 - 5789.678: 89 ################################### 5789.678 - 10130.551: 133 ##################################################### 10130.551 - 17725.477: 99 ####################################### 17725.477 - 31013.798: 32 ############# 31013.798 - 54263.460: 7 ### Mediated: Count: 817 Range: 0.000 - 66086.150; Mean: 6332.843; Median: 4542.250; Stddev: 6873.716 Percentiles: 90th: 14585.600; 95th: 18728.420; 99th: 30082.250 0.000 - 198.149: 3 # 198.149 - 378.562: 81 ################### 378.562 - 722.415: 24 ###### 722.415 - 1377.769: 49 ############ 1377.769 - 2626.822: 96 ####################### 2626.822 - 5007.413: 152 #################################### 5007.413 - 9544.624: 223 ##################################################### 9544.624 - 18192.178: 118 ############################ 18192.178 - 34673.707: 39 ######### 34673.707 - 66086.150: 6 # Heard: Count: 26 Range: 0.000 - 22589.310; Mean: 6460.297; Median: 4729.080; Stddev: 6085.712 Percentiles: 90th: 14198.650; 95th: 17526.030; 99th: 22589.310 0.000 - 497.590: 1 ########### 497.590 - 1776.473: 2 ##################### 1776.473 - 4147.038: 4 ########################################## 4147.038 - 6335.692: 3 ################################ 6335.692 - 9679.158: 4 ########################################## 9679.158 - 14786.758: 5 ##################################################### 14786.758 - 22589.310: 2 ##################### Executions A levy of execution is a forced (court ordered) move-out, what is commonly meant by "eviction". If an execution is requested but not issued, the court has denied the landlord's request. If an execution is issued but not levied, the renters have left on their own. If an execution is levied, the renters and their belongings were removed per the move-and-store laws. Possession of the housing was returned to the owner. It is not possible to know from court records whether belongings were stored in a licensed and bonded warehouse (renter has not yet obtained new housing) or delivered per the renter's instructions (renter has obtained new housing). The landlord customarily pays for the cost of moving and storage. Executions are considered levied if a return of service appears in the record. Executions for possession only must be returned to the court even if not actually served. Executions for money may be kept (not returned) for attempts to collect. 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 1372 78.5% 44.9% 40.5% Issued 1062 60.8% 34.8% 31.4% Levied 263 15.0% 8.6% 7.8% Levied by reason: Count Percentage of Levied Percentage of Judgments Percentage of Disposed Percentage of Filed Cause 39 14.8% 2.2% 1.3% 1.2% Foreclosure 5 1.9% 0.3% 0.2% 0.1% No Fault 40 15.2% 2.3% 1.3% 1.2% Non-payment 179 68.1% 10.2% 5.9% 5.3% Unknown/Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Reasons 263 100.0% 15.0% 8.6% 7.8% 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 32 12.2% 1.8% 1.0% 0.9% Defaulted 107 40.7% 6.1% 3.5% 3.2% Mediated 121 46.0% 6.9% 4.0% 3.6% Heard 3 1.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% Other 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% All Outcomes 263 100.0% 15.0% 8.6% 7.8% 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 5 27 18.5% No Fault 40 409 9.8% Cause 39 500 7.8% Non-payment 179 2444 7.3% Unknown/Other 0 6 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 107 644 16.6% Mediated 121 1327 9.1% Heard 3 74 4.1% Dismissed 32 1009 3.2% Other 0 2 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 1 645 99 110 Non-payment 0 605 80 86 No Fault 1 725 84 82 Foreclosure 31 517 98 103 Unknown/Other 29 245 99 101 All Reasons 0 725 83 90 (days) Shortest Longest Average Std Dev Dismissed 1 550 83 98 Defaulted 0 539 67 56 Mediated 0 725 90 94 Heard 9 507 107 94 Other 0 0 0 0 All Outcomes 0 725 83 90 All Cases: Count: 3056 Range: 0.000 - 725.000; Mean: 83.785; Median: 53.000; Stddev: 90.077 Percentiles: 90th: 170.000; 95th: 270.000; 99th: 491.000 0.000 - 2.606: 7 | 2.606 - 5.501: 15 # 5.501 - 10.722: 36 # 10.722 - 20.135: 67 ## 20.135 - 37.105: 450 ################ 37.105 - 67.703: 1475 ##################################################### 67.703 - 122.870: 548 #################### 122.870 - 222.334: 241 ######### 222.334 - 401.667: 130 ##### 401.667 - 725.000: 84 ### By Reason Cause: Count: 435 Range: 1.000 - 645.000; Mean: 99.264; Median: 59.000; Stddev: 110.836 Percentiles: 90th: 224.000; 95th: 443.000; 99th: 535.000 1.000 - 2.564: 1 | 2.564 - 5.351: 2 | 5.351 - 10.319: 3 # 10.319 - 19.170: 6 # 19.170 - 34.944: 21 ##### 34.944 - 63.055: 214 ##################################################### 63.055 - 113.149: 101 ######################### 113.149 - 202.419: 35 ######### 202.419 - 361.504: 26 ###### 361.504 - 645.000: 26 ###### Non-payment: Count: 2207 Range: 0.000 - 605.000; Mean: 80.454; Median: 52.000; Stddev: 86.283 Percentiles: 90th: 157.000; 95th: 268.000; 99th: 480.000 0.000 - 2.541: 5 | 2.541 - 5.271: 10 | 5.271 - 10.104: 30 # 10.104 - 18.661: 54 ### 18.661 - 33.814: 149 ####### 33.814 - 60.645: 1110 ##################################################### 60.645 - 108.154: 490 ####################### 108.154 - 192.279: 181 ######### 192.279 - 341.238: 101 ##### 341.238 - 605.000: 74 #### No Fault: Count: 386 Range: 1.000 - 725.000; Mean: 84.308; Median: 53.000; Stddev: 82.511 Percentiles: 90th: 169.000; 95th: 239.000; 99th: 457.000 1.000 - 2.606: 1 | 2.606 - 5.501: 3 # 5.501 - 10.722: 3 # 10.722 - 20.135: 2 # 20.135 - 37.105: 62 ################### 37.105 - 67.703: 172 ##################################################### 67.703 - 122.870: 72 ###################### 122.870 - 222.334: 48 ############### 222.334 - 401.667: 15 ##### 401.667 - 725.000: 8 ## Foreclosure: Count: 24 Range: 31.000 - 517.000; Mean: 98.458; Median: 66.000; Stddev: 103.467 Percentiles: 90th: 139.000; 95th: 270.000; 99th: 517.000 31.000 - 41.273: 3 #################### 41.273 - 54.845: 8 ##################################################### 54.845 - 72.774: 1 ####### 72.774 - 96.459: 4 ########################### 96.459 - 127.748: 3 #################### 127.748 - 169.082: 3 #################### 169.082 - 295.820: 1 ####### 295.820 - 517.000: 1 ####### Unknown/Other reason: Count: 4 Range: 29.000 - 245.000; Mean: 99.500; Median: 62.000; Stddev: 101.448 Percentiles: 90th: 245.000; 95th: 245.000; 99th: 245.000 29.000 - 36.026: 2 ##################################################### 36.026 - 105.025: 1 ########################### 105.025 - 245.000: 1 ########################### By Outcome Dismissed: Count: 1009 Range: 1.000 - 550.000; Mean: 83.626; Median: 49.000; Stddev: 98.997 Percentiles: 90th: 203.000; 95th: 322.000; 99th: 484.000 1.000 - 2.508: 6 # 2.508 - 5.153: 14 ## 5.153 - 9.791: 19 ### 9.791 - 17.927: 51 ####### 17.927 - 32.196: 118 ################ 32.196 - 57.224: 396 ##################################################### 57.224 - 101.121: 203 ########################### 101.121 - 178.113: 84 ########### 178.113 - 313.152: 65 ######### 313.152 - 550.000: 53 ####### Defaulted: Count: 644 Range: 0.000 - 539.000; Mean: 67.890; Median: 52.000; Stddev: 56.278 Percentiles: 90th: 109.000; 95th: 147.000; 99th: 337.000 0.000 - 34.214: 15 ### 34.214 - 46.693: 231 ##################################################### 46.693 - 63.595: 199 ############################################## 63.595 - 86.487: 98 ###################### 86.487 - 117.491: 47 ########### 117.491 - 159.482: 25 ###### 159.482 - 216.354: 10 ## 216.354 - 293.381: 10 ## 293.381 - 397.705: 2 | 397.705 - 539.000: 6 # Mediated: Count: 1327 Range: 0.000 - 725.000; Mean: 90.319; Median: 57.000; Stddev: 94.945 Percentiles: 90th: 179.000; 95th: 302.000; 99th: 529.000 0.000 - 4.194: 2 | 4.194 - 7.993: 1 | 7.993 - 14.569: 9 # 14.569 - 25.956: 16 ## 25.956 - 45.669: 450 ##################################################### 45.669 - 79.800: 440 #################################################### 79.800 - 138.892: 214 ######################### 138.892 - 241.200: 108 ############# 241.200 - 418.329: 51 ###### 418.329 - 725.000: 34 #### Heard: Count: 74 Range: 9.000 - 507.000; Mean: 107.892; Median: 77.500; Stddev: 94.687 Percentiles: 90th: 229.000; 95th: 269.000; 99th: 507.000 9.000 - 13.811: 1 ### 13.811 - 31.491: 3 ######### 31.491 - 47.122: 12 ################################### 47.122 - 70.274: 16 ############################################### 70.274 - 104.565: 18 ##################################################### 104.565 - 155.352: 9 ########################### 155.352 - 230.575: 9 ########################### 230.575 - 341.987: 3 ######### 341.987 - 507.000: 3 ######### -- 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/.