Last amended April 1, 1996 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2971 starts a confessed possession action with a Rule 2952 complaint that also describes the property, demands judgment in ejectment, and avers that judgment is not being entered against a natural person on a residential lease, filed with a Rule 2974 confession.
(a)An action shall be commenced by filing with the prothonotary a complaint substantially in the form provided by Rule 2952. The complaint shall also contain
(1)an averment, in place of that required by Rule 2952(a)(3), that the judgment is not being entered against a natural person in connection with a residential lease, and
(2)a description of the property and
(3)a demand for judgment in ejectment.
(b)The plaintiff shall file with the complaint a confession of judgment substantially in the form provided by Rule 2974.
End
Plain-English Summary
A confessed judgment for possession begins the way a money confession does: with a complaint filed with the prothonotary, substantially in the Rule 2952 form. For possession, the complaint must add three things: a description of the property, a demand for judgment in ejectment, and an averment that the judgment is not being entered against a natural person in connection with a residential lease. That averment takes the place of the consumer-credit averment Rule 2952(a)(3) requires.
The plaintiff files with the complaint a confession of judgment in the Rule 2974 form, which confesses judgment in ejectment for possession of the described property. The residential-lease averment carries out Rule 2970’s limit, since confession of judgment in ejectment is abolished for a residential lease executed by a natural person.
The Official Note adds that a plaintiff who also seeks mesne profits in ejectment must bring a separate action for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a possession confession action begin?
By filing a complaint with the prothonotary substantially in the form provided by Rule 2952.
Does the same complaint form serve both chapters?
Yes, with additions. The possession complaint follows the Rule 2952 form but must also describe the property, demand judgment in ejectment, and, in place of the averment Rule 2952(a)(3) requires, aver that judgment is not being entered against a natural person in connection with a residential lease. A confession of judgment in the Rule 2974 form is filed with it.
Official Note
Official Note: If the plaintiff seeks mesne profits in ejectment a separate action must be brought for the mesne profits.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 2971 amended April 1, 1996, effective July 1, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 1814. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (146747).
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as:commencement possession confessioncomplaint possession ejectment