Boston Municipal Court, Central Division — Eviction & Summary Process Info (Boston, MA)

Facing an eviction in Boston? The Boston Municipal Court, Central Division hears summary-process cases for the Boston area in Suffolk County. Below you'll find the courthouse address and contact details, the eviction timeline, and where to get an attorney-reviewed packet built for your case.

Evictions at the Boston Municipal Court, Central Division

Massachusetts evictions are decided through summary process under Chapter 239 of the General Laws. The Boston Municipal Court, Central Division hears these landlord–tenant cases for Boston and nearby Suffolk County communities. Whether you're a tenant who's been served or a landlord preparing to file, the same rules — and the same short deadlines — apply.

Local note. BMC Central shares the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse at 24 New Chardon Street with the Eastern Housing Court's Boston session. For most Boston eviction cases, the Eastern Housing Court — in the very same building — is the specialized venue.

The Boston eviction process, step by step

Every case starts with a Notice to Quit (14 days for nonpayment of rent; generally 30 days or one rental period for a no-fault termination). After the notice expires, the landlord serves a Summary Process Summons and Complaint and enters the case on a Monday entry date. The tenant then has until the answer date to file defenses and counterclaims, and the first hearing — often beginning with mediation — follows shortly after. For the full sequence, read the landlord summary-process timeline and the tenant guide to answering a Notice to Quit.

Tenants in Boston frequently have more leverage than they expect — habitability, security-deposit (c. 186 §15B), and retaliation counterclaims can offset, or exceed, the rent at issue. Landlords win by filing clean: correct notice, correct entry date, and records that answer the predictable defenses.

Housing Court option for Suffolk County

Many Boston-area cases can be filed in the Eastern Housing Court instead of (or in addition to) the District Court. The Housing Court specializes in landlord–tenant matters and has Housing Specialists who mediate. See the Eastern Housing Court page for its sitting locations and the towns it covers, or browse the full Massachusetts court directory.

Whether you're defending or filing in Boston, your packet is drafted to your facts and your court — and signed by a licensed MA attorney. Start free → and see your deadline, exposure, and next step.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Boston Municipal Court, Central Division located?

The Boston Municipal Court, Central Division is located at 24 New Chardon St., Boston, MA 02114. The clerk's office can be reached at (617) 788-8600.

Does the Boston Municipal Court, Central Division handle evictions?

Yes. The Boston Municipal Court, Central Division hears Massachusetts summary-process (eviction) cases for the Boston area. Tenants and landlords in Suffolk County can often also file in the Eastern Housing Court, which specializes in housing cases.

How long does an eviction take through the Boston Municipal Court, Central Division?

Massachusetts summary process moves quickly — frequently only a few weeks from the entry (filing) date to the first hearing. The exact timeline in Boston depends on proper service, the tenant's answer date, whether discovery is requested (which adds about two weeks), and the court's calendar.

Court address and phone compiled from official Massachusetts Trial Court (mass.gov) listings; details can change, so verify with the court. This page is general information, not legal advice.