(a) Except as provided by subdivision (b), if an interest in real property sub- ject to a lien of a judgment has been acquired by a terre-tenant, then the lien of the judgment on the property shall be revived only if the terre-tenant within the five-year period of Rule 3023(c) or Rule 3031.1(a) joins in an agreement to revive or is made a party to the writ of revival.
Rule 3026.3.Revival of Lien of Judgment as to Property of Terre-Tenant.
Adopted December 19, 2003 · Last amended December 19, 2003 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceIt governs reviving a judgment lien against property held by a terre-tenant, including the terms for continuing the lien with or without the terre-tenant's joinder.
Full Text of Rule 3026.3
(b) If a writ of revival or an agreement to revive is entered in the judgment index against the defendant at a time when a terre-tenant’s deed or other evidence of title is of record, but without the joinder of the terre-tenant, the lien of the judgment may be revived as to the terre-tenant within five years after the record- ing of the terre-tenant’s deed or other evidence of title by (1) agreement between the plaintiff and the terre-tenant alone or between the plaintiff, defendant and terre-tenant, or (2) a writ of revival issued against the terre-tenant alone, or against the defendant and terre-tenant jointly. The lien shall continue as to the terre-tenant for the same period as it continues against the defendant, when it must be revived against both parties.
Plain-English Summary
This rule carries forward a longstanding lien-revival provision for terre-tenants. If an interest in encumbered land has passed to a terre-tenant, the lien is revived against that property only if the terre-tenant joins an agreement to revive or is made a party to the writ within the five-year window. A separate subdivision addresses revival when a writ or agreement is entered against the defendant alone while the terre-tenant's deed is of record.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a judgment lien revived against a terre-tenant's property?
The terre-tenant must join an agreement to revive or be made a party to the writ of revival within the five-year period the rule references.
What if the terre-tenant was not joined?
The rule provides a path to revive the lien within five years after the terre-tenant's deed is recorded, by agreement or a writ issued against the terre-tenant.
Official Note
Official Note: The revival of a judgment lien continues or creates a lien upon real property. See Rule 3025.
Official Note: The mere recording of a terre-tenant’s deed or other evidence of title is inef- fective to revive a lien as to any part of the property acquired by a terre-tenant without specific revival by agreement or by writ. For the effect of a judgment of revival against a terre-tenant, see Rules 3027(b)(3) and 3031.1(b).
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3026.3 adopted December 19, 2003, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 22.
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: revival lien terre-tenant property