Eviction leads in Suffolk County, Massachusetts: Boston landlords in a renter-majority county
Suffolk County, made up of Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop, has about 785,000 residents and a median home value near $706,000 in recent Census estimates. Only about 36% of homes are owner-occupied and only about 19% are single-unit, the lowest shares of any Massachusetts county. Apartments for rent in Boston draw about 5,400 searches a month.
Much of that rental housing is owned by small landlords: owner-occupants of two- and three-family homes in Dorchester, Roxbury, East Boston and Hyde Park, and investors who rent to students in Allston, Brighton and Mission Hill. Boston adds its own rental registration and inspection requirements on top of state law. When an eviction becomes slow and costly, some owners decide to sell. This guide explains the market and shows how to work eviction leads fairly.
How to work Suffolk County eviction leads
- 1
Pull new filings regularly
Boston-area cases are heard in the Housing Court’s Eastern session. Match filings to property records and look for owners of two- to four-unit buildings and student rentals.
- 2
Research before you reach out
Confirm ownership, liens, unit count, rents, rental registration, lead compliance and whether the case is finished or pending.
- 3
Follow up with care
Use mail and compliant calls and texts. Scrub numbers against do-not-call lists, get consent where required and never interfere with a case or contact tenants about it.
Checklist
- Verify ownership
- Check case status
- Confirm rental registration
- Check lead compliance
- Review every lease
- Get legal advice
See also eviction leads in Middlesex County and eviction leads in Worcester County.
Suffolk County in numbers
Suffolk County has about 785,000 residents, a median home value near $706,000 and a median household income around $96,000 in recent Census estimates, with about 36% of homes owner-occupied, about 19% single-unit homes and vacancy near 8%.
Hospitals, universities, finance, biotech and government support demand.
Large student populations shape rental markets in Allston, Brighton, Fenway and Mission Hill.
Boston requires rental units to be registered and periodically inspected.
Many buildings predate 1978, so Massachusetts lead paint rules often apply.
- Skip registration checks
- Ignore lead duties
- Cold-call without scrubbing
- Confirm registration
- Check lead certificates
- Follow call and text rules
Related resources
What Suffolk County renters, owners and landlords search for
Apartments for rent in Boston draw about 5,400 searches a month. Searches for a Suffolk County registry of deeds draw about 6,600, though that total includes Suffolk County, New York.
Landlords use the court
Boston Housing Court draws about 480 searches a month.
Neighborhoods draw buyers
Homes for sale in Dorchester draw about 390 searches a month, and Chelsea and Revere about 110 each.
Rules draw interest
Boston rental registration draws about 90 searches a month.
- 1Suffolk County registry of deedsAbout 6,600
- 2Apartments for rent BostonAbout 5,400
- 3Boston Housing CourtAbout 480
- 4Homes for sale Dorchester MAAbout 390
- 5Homes for sale Chelsea MAAbout 110
- 6Homes for sale Revere MAAbout 110
- 7Boston rental registrationAbout 90
- 8Homes for sale Hyde Park MAAbout 70
How investors can use this data
Turn filings into fair offers:
Search volumes are approximate. Figures are recent monthly estimates and change over time. Use them to understand interest, not as exact counts.
ForeclosuresDaily.com hosts monthly webinars with investors such as Carolynn Castillo, who share how they find and evaluate deals.
Suffolk County ZIP codes for eviction leads
Recent Census estimates show medians from about $494,000 to about $1.67 million across these ZIPs.
Beacon Hill, Back Bay and South End 02108, 02116 and 02118
Medians near $1.06 million to $1.67 million, with condos and brownstone rentals.
Charlestown, South Boston and Jamaica Plain 02129, 02127 and 02130
Medians near $822,000 to $912,000 and owner-occupancy near 44% to 51%.
Allston, Brighton and Mission Hill 02134, 02135 and 02120
Medians near $657,000 to $886,000 and owner-occupancy near 9% to 23%, dominated by student rentals.
Dorchester and Roxbury 02119, 02121, 02122, 02124 and 02125
Medians near $590,000 to $689,000 and owner-occupancy near 23% to 45%, with many triple-deckers.
East Boston 02128, Chelsea 02150 and Revere 02151
Medians near $494,000 to $668,000 and owner-occupancy near 26% to 46%, with older multi-family homes.
Hyde Park, Mattapan and Roslindale 02136, 02126 and 02131
Medians near $543,000 to $665,000 and owner-occupancy near 43% to 59%, with more single-family homes.
ZIP medians are recent Census estimates. Use recent sales of similar unit counts to set every offer.
How Massachusetts and Boston rules shape evictions
This is a general overview, not legal advice. Massachusetts and Boston rules are detailed and can change. Landlords should consult a Massachusetts attorney before acting.
Notice to quit
Most cases begin with a written notice to quit. For unpaid rent, tenants often have a right to cure within set limits.
- Notice to quit
- Right to cure
Small notice errors can restart a case.
Summary process in Housing Court
The landlord files a summary process case in the Housing Court. Tenants can raise defenses tied to property conditions, and mediation is common.
- Summary process
- Mediation
Fix code issues before filing when possible.
Boston rental registration and conversions
Boston requires registration and periodic inspection of many rental units, and its condominium conversion rules add protections when rental buildings convert to condos.
- Registration
- Condo conversion
Confirm city compliance before you buy.
Lead paint and fair dealing
Massachusetts requires lead hazard removal in pre-1978 rentals when a child under six lives there. Investors should respect tenants’ rights, deal honestly with landlords and follow federal and Massachusetts rules for calls and texts.
Fair dealing protects everyone and your reputation.
Questions to ask a Suffolk County landlord
- 1How many units are in the building?
- 2Do you live on site?
- 3Is the building registered with the city?
- 4Is there a lead compliance letter?
- 5Is the eviction finished or pending?
- 6What do you need to walk away with?
Running the numbers on a Dorchester three-family
Run the numbers before you make an offer. Boston multi-family homes after an eviction may need work in several units, plus lead, code and registration compliance. Start with the after-repair value for similar buildings, then subtract the purchase price, repairs and holding and selling costs.
Profit = After-repair value − Purchase + repairs + holding and selling costs
All figures are illustrative. Local costs vary widely.
Rents support value. Owner-occupant buyers often use rental income from the other units to qualify, and investors value buildings on their rent rolls.
Several leases to review
Confirm each tenancy before closing.
Lead work is common
Get a lead inspection early.
Time costs money
Court timelines raise holding costs.
Track your results
Measure cost per deal by neighborhood.
What our customers say
Real investors share their experience with ForeclosuresDaily.com in short video reviews and press releases.
Eviction leads in Suffolk County, Massachusetts: FAQ
Short general answers. This is not legal advice. Tap a question to open it.
QWhich cities are in Suffolk County?Yes
Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop.
QWhere are evictions heard?
In the Massachusetts Housing Court, usually its Eastern session for Boston.
QDoes Boston require rental registration?
Yes, for many rental units, with periodic inspections.
QCan I call and text landlords?Yes
Only within federal and Massachusetts rules. Scrub lists and get consent where required.
QWhich areas have the most student rentals?
Allston, Brighton and Mission Hill.
QDo leases end when a property sells?
Generally no. Buyers usually take the property subject to existing leases.
Want Suffolk County eviction leads? Tell us your target neighborhoods and ZIP codes and we will help you choose landlord leads.
Reach Suffolk County landlords first
In Massachusetts’ most renter-heavy county, eviction filings show which small landlords may be ready to sell. Investors who understand state and Boston rules and approach owners with fair offers find deals others miss.
ForeclosuresDaily.com supplies eviction, probate, preforeclosure and absentee owner leads across Suffolk County and Massachusetts. Explore our lead products.