Introduction
The state's pause on evictions expires on October 17, 2020. When the state moratorium expires, a federal moratorium established by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) will become effective in Massachusetts. Through December, the CDC moratorium will prevent evictions for non-payment for qualified tenants who submit a written declaration to their landlord. Courts will accept filings and process cases, and may enter judgments but will not issue an order of execution (the court order that allows a landlord to evict a tenant) until after the expiration of the CDC order. Protection is limited to households who meet certain income and vulnerability criteria.
In addition, the Trial Court has changed its procedures to provide for a two tier process that will enable tenants and landlords to access resources and mediate their disputes in order to preserve tenancies.
More information on the eviction process, and required forms, can be found below.
Trial Court administrative and standing orders
Trial Court Emergency Administrative Order 20-13: 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
Boston Municipal Court Standing Order 11-20: Court operations for the adjudication of summary process matters post-Massachusetts eviction moratorium
Outlines procedures for eviction cases in Boston Municipal Court
District Court Standing Order 10-20: Court operations for the adjudication of summary process cases under the exigent circumstances created by COVID-19
Outlines procedures for eviction cases in District Court
Housing Court Standing Order 6-20: Temporary modifications to court operations based on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the expiration of chapter 65 of the acts of 2020 (eviction moratorium)
Outlines procedures for eviction cases in Housing Court
CDC moratorium information and form
The CDC eviction moratorium order, often referred to as the “CDC Order,” may provide protection from eviction for non-payment of rent to people who meet certain requirements.
CDC order
Temporary halt in residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, Centers for Disease Control, Sept. 4, 2020.
The order itself.
Information about the order
Frequently asked questions about the CDC halt in evictions, Centers for Disease Control.
Form
Form: Declaration for the CDC's temporary halt in evictions to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Under the CDC’s order, each adult listed on the lease or rental agreement must provide a written notice to their landlord. This form is strongly recommended, but you don't have to use it. Any written document that you give to your landlord will comply with the Order, as long as it contains the same information as this CDC declaration form.
Court forms and information
Eviction forms and information sheets
Housing information and court resources for Boston Municipal Court, District Court, and Housing Court.
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 30, 2020 |
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