Introduction
The Trial Court has temporarily changed its procedures in summary process (eviction) cases to provide for a two-tier process. The first-tier court event will enable tenants and landlords to mediate their disputes and explore available resources, such as rental assistance.
Expiration of certain eviction protections
A new law provides certain tenant protections applicable in summary process (eviction) cases for nonpayment of rent, including mandatory continuances (pauses) and stays of execution (delayed evictions) pending a rental assistance application. See St. 2023, c. 28. Also, landlords are required to provided additional notice forms in summary process (eviction) cases for nonpayment. See G.L. c. 186, s. 31.
Trial Court administrative and standing orders
Boston Municipal Court Standing Order 1-23: Continuation of temporary modifications for summary process cases
Outlines procedures for eviction cases in Boston Municipal Court
Trial Court Administrative Order 21-2: Trial Court order suspending certain provisions of Trial Court Rule I: Uniform Summary Process Rules
Suspends any eviction rules that are not consistent with court standing orders about eviction
District Court Fourth Amended Standing Order 10-20: Court operations for the adjudication of summary process cases
Outlines procedures for eviction cases in District Court
Interim Housing Court Standing Order 1-23: Continuation of temporary modifications to court operations
Outlines procedures for eviction cases in Housing Court
Forms
Under G.L. c. 186, s. 31, landlords must give their residential tenant(s) an additional informational form with any notice to quit for nonpayment of rent. See G.L. c. 186, s. 31; see also Notice to Quit attestation form and submission information.
Affidavit of Compliance with G.L. c. 186, s. 31
In summary process (eviction) cases for nonpayment of rent, plaintiff-landlords must also provide the court with an affidavit (statement) swearing they followed the law under G.L. c. 186, s. 31.
Eviction statistical data
All Residential Eviction Cases, Non-Payment of Rent: View new cases filed, plaintiffs, and defendants.
All data is compiled from the Trial Court's case tracking system Masscourts. Dashboard is updated on a weekly basis. For the Boston Municipal and District Courts, cases filed include eviction cases based on grounds other than non-payment of rent. These cases are few and represent a small proportion of eviction cases overall.
| Last updated: | November 7, 2023 |
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