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Facing an eviction in Dorchester? The Boston Municipal Court, Dorchester Division hears summary-process cases for the Dorchester 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.
Massachusetts evictions are decided through summary process under Chapter 239 of the General Laws. The Boston Municipal Court, Dorchester Division hears these landlord–tenant cases for Dorchester 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.
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 Dorchester 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.
Many Dorchester-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.
The Boston Municipal Court, Dorchester Division is located at 510 Washington St., Dorchester, MA 02124. The clerk's office can be reached at (617) 288-9500.
Yes. The Boston Municipal Court, Dorchester Division hears Massachusetts summary-process (eviction) cases for the Dorchester area. Tenants and landlords in Suffolk County can often also file in the Eastern Housing Court, which specializes in housing cases.
Massachusetts summary process moves quickly — frequently only a few weeks from the entry (filing) date to the first hearing. The exact timeline in Dorchester depends on proper service, the tenant's answer date, whether discovery is requested (which adds about two weeks), and the court's calendar.
Related: Eastern Housing Court · All courts · Guides · Pricing
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.