Norfolk County, Massachusetts Eviction Risk: Elevated

Norfolk County scores 5.9/10 (Elevated) across its 19 cities, placing it at rank 11 of 14 Massachusetts eviction laws counties, meaning 10 counties carry higher eviction risk and only 3 are more landlord-friendly. For a landlord or investor evaluating Massachusetts eviction laws, that translates to a market that sits in the lower-risk third of the state: not the easiest operating environment, but well clear of the concentrated tenant-protection pressures found in places like Bristol County or Essex County. Average rent runs $2,162 per month, rent burden lands at 30.8% of renter income, and renters make up 34.3% of households, a meaningful share that keeps demand for rental units steady without the extreme tenant-density that can amplify political pressure for local rent regulation.

The intra-county score range is tight: 5.6 to 6.2, a spread of just 0.6 points across 19 municipalities. That compression tells you this is a relatively uniform suburban county rather than a patchwork of outliers. Conditions shift at the city level, but there are no truly low-risk pockets pulling the average down, nor any single city spiking dramatically above the rest. Landlords evaluating individual properties here should focus on city-level scores rather than the county average.

The cities inside Norfolk County

The highest-risk cities in the county are Quincy (6.2/10, population 102,114) and Brookline (6/10, population 63,266), which share the top spot. Both are dense urban communities with large renter populations, and Brookline eviction risk in particular has historically been among the more tenant-activist municipalities in Massachusetts eviction laws. Norwood (5.7/10) rounds out the next tier alongside Foxborough at the same score.

On the lower end, Needham scores 6.1/10 and Braintree Town comes in at 5.9/10, offering the most landlord-favorable conditions in the county. Weymouth Town, Randolph Town, and Franklin Town cluster at 5.7/10. The takeaway is that city-level selection within Norfolk County can meaningfully shift your risk exposure, even though the overall range stays moderate. Risk is genuinely hyper-local here: a mile can separate a 5.1 market from a 5.6 one.

State-level laws that apply here

Every landlord operating in Norfolk County works under Massachusetts eviction laws state law, specifically M.G.L. c. 186 (Estates for Years and at Will). For nonpayment of rent, both tenancy-at-will and fixed-term lease situations require a 14-day notice before filing. A no-cause termination of a tenancy at will requires a 30-day notice, while a material lease violation can be addressed with a 7-day notice. Massachusetts eviction laws does not require just cause for eviction at the state level, and there is no statewide rent cap formula in effect. Understanding the full Massachusetts eviction laws eviction process is essential before initiating any action: an uncontested case typically resolves in 30 to 60 days, while a contested matter can run 90 to 180 days.

Massachusetts eviction costs add up quickly. Court filing fees range from $195 to $295, sheriff lockout fees run $75 to $200, and attorney fees typically fall between $750 and $3,500, depending on case complexity. Landlords should also review Massachusetts security deposit limits and Massachusetts tenant protections before drafting leases, since the state's habitability statute (M.G.L. c. 111 § 127A) and retaliation protections (M.G.L. c. 186 § 18) carry real enforcement teeth through the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.

With a county poverty rate of 7.3% and renters comprising 34.3% of households, the financial stress that often drives nonpayment filings is present but below state averages in many higher-risk counties; review the city grid above to identify which of the 19 municipalities best fits your investment criteria.