Boston Housing Court

The Boston Housing Court is located at 24 New Chardon Street (the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse). Give yourself plenty of time to go through security, check in, and find a seat in the courtroom.

When court begins, the judge will typically take the bench and explain the process. When they finish, the clerk in the courtroom will call the names of the parties scheduled to appear. As the clerk calls out the names, they will ask whether the parties would like to take part in mediation.

When you hear your name, you should respond loudly and clearly that you are present. You should also say whether you wish to take part in mediation.

If all parties agree to mediation, the clerk will ask you to go down to the third floor to wait for a mediator. If you don’t agree to mediate, a judge will hear your case. Stay in the courtroom, unless you’re told otherwise.

Mediation tips

Did your landlord file a summary process case in one of the District Court divisions of the Boston Municipal Court? These include, for example:

• East Boston District Court
• Dorchester District Court, and
• Roxbury District Court.

You must complete a Notice to Transfer form and file it in three places:

• the District Court
• the Housing Court, and
• with your landlord (or your landlord’s attorney).

You must file the Notice to Transfer form by the day before the original court date. For example, if the trial date is on a Thursday, you must file and serve the Notice to Transfer on Wednesday. There is no cost to transfer a case to the Housing Court.