Category Archives: Massachusetts Landlord/Tenant Law Blog

Summary Process 101

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Evictions in Massachusetts are known as “summary process.”  The goal of summary process is found in Rule 1 of the Uniform Rules of Summary Process: “the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every summary process action.”  In other words, summary process cases are intended to move at a much faster pace than a typical civil action.  While it can often take years for a civil lawsuit to go to trial, summary process cases are intended to be tried only weeks after the filing date.

To begin a summary process case, the landlord must serve the tenant(s) with a notice to quit, which explains the reason why the tenant is being evicted (more on this later).  This notice of quit must provide a date by which the tenancy is terminated.  After this date, if the tenant has not left the premises, the landlord can begin the case.

The start of a summary process case is opposite that of a typical civil lawsuit.  In a typical lawsuit, the plaintiff first files the lawsuit and then serves it on the defendants.  In summary process, the plaintiff/landlord begins the case by serving the defendant/tenant with a summary process summons, which must be obtained from the court.  On this summons, the plaintiff/landlord selects the date that he will file the lawsuit; called the entry date.  After the summons is served on the defendant/tenant, the landlord can file the lawsuit, which must be done at least seven days (but no more than thirty) from the date the summons was served (click here for a useful timeline of a summary process case).  From there, the case begins.

Confused?  You aren’t the only one; summary process can be a complicated.  Given the stress and heartache these cases can cause, I recommend seeking legal assistance if you are involved in one of these cases.  Contact me for a consultation.

Evictions on the Rise in Massachusetts

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The New York Times reports that evictions are on the rise across the United States, including Massachusetts, where eviction filings increased 11% between 2010 to 2013.  The rise in these cases poses challenges not only to the parties in these cases, but also to the courts, who have to deal with increased caseloads, filings, and hearings.

The article cites several studies showing that the use of an attorney can make a real difference in these cases, a point I can attest to based on personal experience.  In Massachusetts, the eviction process is not always “user friendly” and I encourage anyone involved in one of these cases to seek legal representation.

Understanding Cash-for-Keys Settlement Offers

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In landlord/tenant cases, “cash-for-keys” often comes up as a popular means of settling an eviction case.  In a cash-for-keys settlement, the landlord agrees to pay the tenant(s) a sum of money to leave the premises by a required deadline.  The payment of this money is often conditional upon the Tenant(s) leaving the premises in a clean condition and waiving any claims they might have against the landlord.

Landlords, understandably, are often reluctant to even consider a cash-for-keys settlement.  Often, the tenant(s) owe the Landlord months worth of back rent, and the thought of the landlord paying the Tenant to leave seems absurd.

While I sympathize with these concerns, I strongly urge all of my Landlord clients to give a cash-for-keys settlement strong consideration when trying to eviction a Tenant.  The reason for this is simple economics:  a cash-for-keys offer can save a Landlord thousands of dollars in eviction costs (and time).

Landlords who pursue cash-for-keys settlements should make the payment conditional upon the tenants leaving the premises by a required deadline, and leaving the premises in “broom swept” condition.  Landlords should ask the Tenants to waive any and all claims they may have against the Landlord, and agree that the landlord be allowed to discard any of the tenant’s possessions left behind after the vacate date.  Landlords should also insist that Tenants waive any rights to appeal or stays of the execution (a court order that a tenant can seek for additional time in the premises following an eviction).

Tenants, in turn, should ask the Landlord to waive any claims that the Landlord may have against them, specifically owed rent.  After moving out of the premises, Tenants should also take pictures of the property to prove that it has been cleaned out and, if possible, ask a friend or family member to be present so that a witness is available in case the Tenant’s move-out is ever disputed.

In need of assistance with this type of matter?  Contact me for a consultation.