Eviction in Berkshire County (Pittsfield), Massachusetts
Where eviction cases are filed in Berkshire County (Pittsfield), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Berkshire County (Pittsfield)
- Eviction court
- Western Housing Court - Pittsfield Session — Housing Court (summary process) Court page
- Filing fee
- Entry of action (summary process): $135.00 ($120.00 plus $15.00 surcharge). Massachusetts Housing Court - Housing Court filing fees (M.G.L. c. 185C, §19)
- Notice before filing (state law)
- 14 days' written notice to quit. For tenants at will: a tenant who has not received a similar notice in the previous 12 months can cure by paying the full rent due within 10 days after receiving the notice, and the notice must state this right. For tenants with a lease: the tenant can cure by paying all rent due, plus interest and costs, on or before the day the answer is due in the eviction case. Massachusetts rules
- Renter households
- 17,322 (30% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28
Where eviction cases are filed in Berkshire County (Pittsfield)
Eviction cases in Berkshire County (Pittsfield) are heard by the Western Housing Court - Pittsfield Session (Housing Court (summary process)).
- Western Housing Court - Pittsfield Session — 76 East St., Room 2, Pittsfield, MA 01201; Clerk's Office (413) 748-7838 (Springfield) · website
Court eviction page · Self-help center
The Pittsfield session serves all Berkshire County towns listed on its page (Adams, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, North Adams, Pittsfield, Williamstown and others). It is open only when court is in session, Wednesdays 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; at other times contact the Springfield location. All filings and correspondence go to the Springfield location, and jury trials are held in Springfield (https://www.mass.gov/location-details/western-housing-court-pittsfield-session-information). Lawyer for the Day help is available at the courthouse.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Berkshire County (Pittsfield)
Entry of action (summary process): $135.00 ($120.00 plus $15.00 surcharge).
Statewide Housing Court fee. Pay by cash, check, money order or certified bank check payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; confirm in-person card payment with the court.
Source: Massachusetts Housing Court - Housing Court filing fees (M.G.L. c. 185C, §19)
How eviction cases work locally
| Lawyer for the Day | Free legal help at the courthouse through the Lawyer for the Day program. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| Filing location | Filings for the Pittsfield session are sent to the Western Housing Court in Springfield. Source: Official source |
The Massachusetts eviction process
Massachusetts state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Berkshire County (Pittsfield):
- Notice to quit: 14 days for nonpayment, which must be accompanied by the EOHLC rental-assistance form (G.L. c. 186, § 31); otherwise generally 30 days or one rental period for a tenancy at will, or as the lease provides.
- After the notice expires, the landlord buys a Summary Process Summons and Complaint and has a sheriff or constable serve it on the tenant 7 to 30 days before the chosen Monday entry day.
- The landlord files (enters) the case by close of business on the Monday entry day, with the served summons and complaint, the notice to quit, and the fee.
- The tenant files an Answer (defenses, counterclaims, discovery requests) by the first Monday after the entry day. The trial is listed for the second Thursday after entry (or another designated day). Housing Court cases usually start with mediation.
- Judgment by agreement, bench trial, or jury trial. Nonpayment cases are continued and stayed while a tenant with financial hardship has a pending emergency rental assistance (RAFT) application (G.L. c. 239, § 15).
- Execution issues after the 10-day appeal period. The court may grant a stay of up to 6 months (up to 1 year for elderly or disabled tenants) in qualifying cases. The landlord has 3 months to use the execution.
- A sheriff or constable gives at least 2 days' written notice (excluding weekends and holidays), then removes the tenant on a weekday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Belongings go to a licensed storage facility.
Full Massachusetts eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Berkshire County (Pittsfield)
Median gross rent in Berkshire County (Pittsfield): $1,097/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure follows state law. City rules, if any, are on city pages.
Eviction help in Berkshire County (Pittsfield)
Free legal help
- Community Legal Aid - Pittsfield office — 152 North Street, Suite E155, Pittsfield, MA 01201; satellite office 33 Main Street, North Adams. Intake 855-CLA-LEGAL (855-252-5342).
Tenant and eviction lawyers in Berkshire County (Pittsfield)
Other Massachusetts counties
- Eviction in Middlesex County (Cambridge / Lowell)
- Eviction in Suffolk County (Boston)
- Eviction in Worcester County (Worcester)
- Eviction in Essex County (Lynn / Lawrence)
- Eviction in Norfolk County (Quincy)
- Eviction in Bristol County (New Bedford / Fall River)
- Eviction in Hampden County (Springfield)
- Eviction in Plymouth County (Brockton, Plymouth)
- Eviction in Barnstable County
- Eviction in Hampshire County
Related
- Massachusetts landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Massachusetts (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Berkshire County (Pittsfield)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Berkshire County (Pittsfield)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Berkshire County (Pittsfield)?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.