Boston Municipal Court Summary Process Information Sheet

The following provides an overview of summary process (eviction), key information, and resources for court attendants in need. This page's content was drawn from a Boston Municipal Court Summary Process (eviction) information sheet and can be printed.

If you need an interpreter or reasonable accommodation, please call the Clerk's Office as soon as possible.

Important

You must attend your court hearing by following the instructions provided in your court notice. Your hearing may occur virtually by Zoom or over the telephone. If you do not attend, the Court may rule for the other side. 

Connecting to Zoom

You can connect to your Hearing through the Zoom app. Zoom is available both by computer and by phone. 

Smartphone

1. Go to your app store
2. Look for "Zoom Cloud Meetings"
3. Click Download
4. Create an account
5. Click Join Meeting
6. Enter Meeting ID
7. Enter Passcode

Computer

1. Go to Zoom's Join Meeting website.
2. Enter Meeting ID
3. Enter Passcode

Land Line/Telephone

1. Contact the Court and notify court staff that you do not have access to Zoom. The court will provide you with information and a phone number to call.
2. If the Court notice provides a phone number for your hearing, call the number and enter the ID and Passcode provided. 

Tips on Using Zoom

Make sure you test your online connection and video/audio on the Zoom app before your hearing date. 

Your Court Case

If you filed a summary process (eviction) case, you are the plaintiff. If the case was filed against you, you are the defendant. You can file an answer stating your defenses. If you do not, the judge will only have the plaintiff's side of the case.

• Get help filing an answer
• Look up your case file online

E-Filing Your Documents Online

View Court forms related to eviction. Translated court forms available at this address. 

To file any forms, documents, or evidence, you can mail it to the court or file it electronically through the courts E-filing website. 

If you need assistance in drafting and filing court forms, please visit the Court Service Center (more information below).

Court Service Centers

Court Service Centers (CSC) help people navigate the court system. Centers are available to all court users without lawyers, and there are no income or immigration status requirements. All of the services in the CSCs are free, but there may be other fees associated with your case, such as filing fees. 

You can join the Court Service Center Videoconference Meeting:

• Via Zoom.
• Via Phone Call: [phone] (Enter Meeting ID 1615261140)

This is available from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday. After 12:00 p.m., CSC team members return calls, assist court users via appointment, and respond to emergency referrals made by court departments. 

Boston Municipal Court Community Legal Resources for Summary Process Cases

The following legal aid programs may be available to provide free legal services in summary process cases in the Divisions of the Boston Municipal Court. 

City of Boston Office of Housing Stability

Address: 26 Court Street, 1st Floor, Boston, MA 02108

Phone Number: [phone]

Office of Housing Stability Website

Boston College Legal Services Lab

Address: 885 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02459

Phone Number: [phone] 

Fax Number: [phone]

Boston College Legal Services Website

Disability Law Center

Phone Numbers: [phone] | [phone]

Disability Law Center website

Eastern Region Legal Intake (ERLI)

Address: 7 Winthrop Square, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02110

Phone Numbers: [phone] | (800) 342-LAWS (5297)

Volunteer Lawyers Project website

Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) Housing Unit

Address: 197 Friend Street, Boston, MA 02114

Phone Numbers: [phone] | [phone]

GBLS website

Harvard Legal Aid Bureau (HLAB)

Address: 23 Everett Street, First Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138

Phone Number: [phone]

Fax Number: [phone]

HLAB website

Lawyers Clearinghouse

Address: 7 Winthrop Square, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02110

Phone Number: [phone]

Lawyer Clearinghouse website

Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School

Address: 122 Boylston Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Phone Number: [phone]

Fax Number: [phone]

WilmerHale Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School website

Veterans Legal Services

Address: New England Center & Home for Veterans - Walk-In. Most Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
17 Court Street (Government Center), Boston, MA

Phone Number: [phone]

Fax Number: [phone]

Email: [e-mail] 

Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP)

Address: 7 Winthrop Square, Floor 2, Boston 02110

Phone Number: [phone]

VLP website

City Life/VIDA Urbana

Addresses: 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 | 28 Paris Street, East Boston, MA 02128

Phone Number: [phone]

City Life/Vida Urbana website

Non-Legal Resources for Summary Process Cases

Emergency Rental & Mortgage Assistance

Renters and homeowners who are struggling to make housing payments are encourages to apply for emergency assistance. You may be eligible for assistance to pay overdue or upcoming rent or mortgage payments or other housing costs. There is a joint application for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) and Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) programs, and you can apply at one of 11 regional housing agencies. Any income-eligible individuals and families who are struggling to make housing payments may apply.

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)

Phone Number: 2-1-1

RAFT on Mass.gov

City of Boston Officer of Housing Stability

Address: 26 Court Street, 9th Floor, Boston MA 02108

Phone Number: [phone]

Office of Housing Stability website

Date published:	October 13, 2020
Last updated:	October 15, 2025