The procedure for the enforcement of a judgment for possession shall be in accordance with the rules governing the enforcement of judgments for the pay- ment of money with respect to the following:
Rule 3161.Conformity to rules governing enforcement of judgments for payment of money.
Last amended April 1, 1996 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceEnforcing a judgment for possession in ejectment follows the money-judgment execution rules for specific topics — commencing and issuing the writ, substitution and reissuance, security for the sheriff, supplementary relief, and the sheriff’s expenses and fees.
Full Text of Rule 3161
(a) Commencement and Issuance of Writ:—Rules 3103(e) and 3105.
(b) Substitution, Reissuance and Expiration of Writ:—Rules 3106(b) and 3106(d).
Plain-English Summary
Rather than restate the execution machinery, this rule borrows it. The procedure for enforcing an ejectment judgment for possession tracks the money-judgment rules for a defined list of subjects.
Those subjects are the commencement and issuance of the writ, its substitution, reissuance, and expiration, security for the sheriff, supplementary relief in aid of execution where applicable, and the sheriff’s expenses and fees and abandonment of the writ for non-payment. For each, the corresponding money-judgment rule supplies the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ejectment enforcement reinvent execution procedure?
No. It conforms to the money-judgment execution rules for listed topics like issuing the writ, security for the sheriff, and the sheriff’s fees.
Which topics are borrowed?
Commencement and issuance, substitution and reissuance, security for the sheriff, supplementary relief where applicable, and the sheriff’s expenses and fees.
Official Note
Official Note: Adopted March 30, 1960, effective November 1, 1960.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3161 amended April 1, 1996, effective July 1, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 1814. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (136930) to (136931).
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: conformity rules ejectmentejectment execution procedure