Housing Court FAQs
1. How do I contact the Housing Court?
A: For information regarding addresses, hours, and more please refer to ‘Housing Court Locations’ page.
Questions or concerns about a particular case or court session should be directed to the Clerk’s office of the appropriate ‘Housing Court division’. In addition, Court Service Centers may provide helpful resources, answer basic questions, help with court forms, give information about court rules, procedures, and practices, and connect people with community resources. All Court Service Centers are free to court users, but there may be other fees associated with a case, such as filing fees.
2. Can I request a virtual hearing in the Housing Court?
A: You may request a virtual hearing in certain circumstances however, unless the court finds exceptional circumstances or as a reasonable accommodation, most court events will proceed in person. Specifically, first-tier court events (mediations); all trials in summary process (eviction), civil, and small claims case types; proceedings where an assessment of credibility is necessary; motions requiring an evidentiary hearing; and contempt proceedings will be held in person. Other court events not listed above may in the Court’s discretion be held virtually. See ‘Housing Court Standing Order 1-23’.
Questions or concerns about a particular case or court session should be directed to the Clerk’s Office of the appropriate ‘Housing Court division’.
3. How do I request a reasonable accommodation?
A: The Housing Court Department works to provide appropriate aids and services to qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in court services or programs. Please review this link for guidance on ‘How to Request an accommodation’.
To speak to an “ADA Coordinator” about a particular case you should contact the Clerk’s Office of the appropriate ‘Housing Court division’. For more information, please visit ‘ADA Accessibility at the Courts’.
4. What is the Court Service Center?
A: Court Service Centers may provide helpful resources, answer basic questions, help with court forms, give information about court rules, procedures, and practices, and connect people with community resources. All Court Service Centers are free to court users, but there may be other fees associated with a case, such as filing fees.
5. Can I bring my cell phone or other personal electronic device into a courthouse?
A: Yes. Court users may continue to carry their cell phones and other personal electronic devices into a courthouse, in compliance with Trial Court Administrative Order 21-1 (Order Concerning Trial Court Policy on Possession & Use of Cell Phones & Personal Electronic Devices). Generally, no cell phone, personal electronic device, or camera may be used to take photographs or videos in a courtroom, or anywhere else inside a courthouse.
6. How may I file something in Housing Court?
A: You may submit documents to the court by first-class mail or, in certain cases, electronic filing (‘eFiling’). Currently, eFiling in the Housing Court is available in the Civil, Small Claims, Supplementary Process, and Summary Process case types. eFiling is mandatory for attorneys filing in the Civil, Small Claims, and Summary Process case types, but self-represented litigants are encouraged to utilize the eFiling system to file their documents. For more information regarding eFiling, please see eFiling in the Housing Court.
The Housing Court also offers eSummons, an electronic (or digital) version of the Summary Process Summons and Complaint. Users may electronically purchase, download, and print an eSummons from the Housing Court.
For questions regarding how to eFile, you may contact the Clerk’s Office. You can find the contact information for each Housing Court division online.
7. Can I sign up Text Reminders for my Court Date?
A: Court notices will be sent to all parties to a case (either US Postal Mail or e-mailed), but parties are encouraged to sign up for eReminder, formerly known as Interactive Text Reminders. eReminder is a supplement text message reminder of upcoming court events in a specific case. This service is a courtesy only and does not replace official notices from the Clerk’s Office.
eReminder allows a person to sign up to receive text reminders about their scheduled court events. Parties may sign up for the service by submitting an eReminder form, which is available online on mass.gov, Civil Court Date Text Reminders, or in person at the Clerk’s office. This service is available only for Civil case types, including eviction cases. This service is a courtesy only and does not replace official notices from the Clerk’s Office. Signing up for this service is free, but data and messaging rates may apply. If the information in the text message differs from the information in the official court notice, immediately contact the Clerk’s Office.
8. How is the Housing Court handling Summary Process (eviction) cases?
A: Court users should review Interim Housing Court Standing Order 1-23, which outlines the modified procedures in Summary Process (eviction) cases in the Housing Court. Under the Interim Standing Order, all Summary Process cases will be scheduled generally based on the order in which they were filed. Cases will continue to be processed in accordance with a modified two-tier system. Within seven (7) days of filing, the respective Clerk’s Office will schedule a ‘first-tier court event’ between 30-60 days after entry of the case. The Court will then send the plaintiff-landlord or their attorney a written notice of court event, informing the parties of the scheduled date, time, and method of the court event. Such notice will also include a generic civil informational sheet, service instructions for the plaintiff-landlord, and a sample return of service.
Under the Interim Standing Order, plaintiff-landlord(s) must have the first-tier court event notice and generic civil informational sheet served on the defendant-tenant(s) in the same manner as the summons and complaint. The return of service for the first-tier court event notice should list all the defendant-tenant(s) served, how service was made, and where service was made.
The notice of the first-tier court event packet will include a link to the Housing Court Resources webpage. That webpage has division-specific civil informational sheets that list resources that may be available to assist the parties in resolving their case, such as Lawyer for the Day Programs, Tenancy Preservation Program, and free interpreter services.
Under the Interim Standing Order, if a defendant-tenant does not appear for the first-tier court event, and the return of service of the first-tier court event notice was filed with the court, a default may enter against the defendant-tenant(s) in certain cases. If a plaintiff-landlord(s) does not appear to the first-tier court event, the case may be dismissed.
9. Is the first-tier court event mandatory?
A: Under the Interim Standing Order 1-23, the first-tier court event is a mandatory court event. First-tier court events will be held in person unless the court allows a reasonable accommodation or finds that exceptional circumstances warrant a virtual appearance. Please review this link for guidance on ‘How to Request an accommodation. Under the Interim Standing Order, if a defendant-tenant does not appear for the first-tier court event, and the return of service of the first-tier court event notice was filed with the court, a default may enter against the defendant-tenant in certain cases. If a plaintiff-landlord does not appear at first-tier court event, the case may be dismissed.
The first-tier court event is an opportunity for plaintiff and defendant to meet with a court-employed, neutral Housing Specialist, mediate their disputes, and explore available resources, such as rental assistance.
10. Once a Summary Process (eviction) case is filed, what is the plaintiff required to serve under Standing Order 1-23?
A: Once a Summary Process case is filed, the court will send the plaintiff-landlord(s) (or the attorney) a packet that includes a Notice of First-Tier Court Event, a generic civil informational sheet, instructions for service, and a sample return of service for the notice. The plaintiff-landlord(s) should be guided by the instructions for service and serve on the defendant-tenant(s) the Notice of First-Tier Court Event and the civil informational sheet. The constable or sheriff may use the sample return of service that was provided by the court. In any event, the return of service must specify the documents that have been served, who they have been served on, the date of service, and where.
11. Do parties in Summary Process (eviction) cases need to file any additional documents with the initial Summons and Complaint?
A: In Summary Process (eviction) cases for nonpayment of rent, plaintiff-landlord(s) must provide the court with an affidavit (statement) swearing they followed the law under G.L. c. 186, s. 31. See ‘Affidavit of Compliance’ with G.L. c. 186, s. 31. 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. That form is prepared by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. See G.L. c. 186, s. 31; see also Notice to Quit attestation form and submission information.
Under Standing Order 1-20, if electronically filing a Summary Process (eviction) case you must include an Affidavit of Compliance with E-Filing Requirements.
Questions or concerns about a particular case or court session should be directed to the Clerk’s Office of the appropriate Housing Court division.
12. Did any eviction laws change due to the Covid-19 Pandemic?
A: Under G.L. c. 186, s. 31, landlords must give their residential tenant(s) an additional informational form. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is responsible for preparing the Form to Accompany Residential Notice to Quit. See G.L. c. 186, s. 31; see also Notice to Quit attestation form and submission information. In summary process (eviction) cases for nonpayment of rent, plaintiff-landlord(s) must also provide the court with an affidavit (statement) swearing they followed the law under G.L. c. 186, s. 31. See ‘Affidavit of Compliance’ with G.L. c. 186, s. 31.
Under G.L. c. 239, s. 15, in summary process (eviction) cases for nonpayment of rent the court must grant continuances (pauses) and stays of execution (delayed evictions) pending a rental assistance application if certain conditions are met.
Questions or concerns about a particular case or court session should be directed to the Clerk’s Office of the appropriate ‘Housing Court division’.
13. What is short-term emergency rental assistance (RAFT) and how can it help me?
A: Short-term emergency rental assistance programs like Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) can provide up to $7,000 per 12-month period for certain housing costs for eligible individuals and families. To learn more about RAFT please visit ‘Apply for RAFT’.
Under G.L. c. 239, s. 15, in summary process (eviction) cases for nonpayment of rent the court must grant continuances (pauses) and stays of execution (delayed evictions) pending a rental assistance application if certain conditions are met.
14. Can I sign necessary documents electronically?
A: Yes. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s ‘order authorizing use of electronic signatures by attorneys and self-represented parties’, allows all required signatures may be accepted electronically. This measure allows attorneys and self-represented litigants to sign documents on which they would otherwise be required to provide a wet signature. The electronic signature may take the form of a scan, an electronically inserted image intended to substitute for a signature, or a "/s/ name of signatory" block.
15. How can I serve documents on interested parties?
A: Pursuant to Mass. R. Civ. P 5(b)(1)(a), attorneys of record must provide an e-mail address in a pending case, and service under may be accomplished through e-mail. This includes all subsequent filings, but the original complaint. Self-represented parties may not be served via e-mail without their written consent, which may be through e-mail.
16. Can I access my case online?
A: Yes. Where appropriate, you may view your case docket and document images on the eAccess public portal, which is available on MassCourts. Docket entries on the eAccess public portal are updated regularly but may not include the most recent filings. Questions or concerns about a particular case or court session should be directed to the Clerk’s Office of the appropriate Housing Court division.
17. Where can I find more resources related to my case?
A: Tenants and landlords are encouraged to review Housing Court Resources which includes division specific information and resource materials. You can contact the Clerk’s Office or the Court Service Center. Court Service Centers can also answer basic questions, help with completing court forms, give information about court rules, procedures, and practices, and connect people with community resources. All Court Service Centers are free to court users, but there may be other fees associated with a case, such as filing fees. See Court Service Centers for more information.
18. What if I have other procedural questions not addressed here?
A: Court staff cannot provide legal advice. For additional questions about court procedure, you may find the contact information for each Housing Court division online. Questions or concerns about a particular case or court session should be directed to the Clerk’s Office of the appropriate ‘Housing Court division’.
Court Service Centers can also answer basic questions, help with court forms, give information about court rules, procedures, and practices, and connect people with community resources. All Court Service Centers are free to court users, but there may be other fees associated with a case, such as filing fees. See Court Service Centers for more information.
19. What is Eviction Sealing?
A: Effective May 5, 2025, G.L. c. 239, s 16 provides for eviction record sealing. To learn more about the provisions of the law and how to request to seal a case, or to object to a petition to seal, please visit Sealing eviction court records.
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| Last updated: | January 8, 2024 |
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