Pennsylvania Form MJ-307, formally titled the Landlord/Tenant Complaint, is the magisterial district court pleading that a landlord files with the local Magisterial District Judge to recover possession of a rental property, unpaid rent, or damages from a tenant under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951. Every Pennsylvania landlord who wants a lawful eviction order or money judgment against a residential or commercial tenant starts with this form, which is issued by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and bears revision date AOPC 307A-08-23.
The cost of getting it wrong is steep, because a defective complaint can be dismissed at the hearing and force the landlord to refile, restart the 10-day notice clock, and lose another month of rent. Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System processed roughly 108,000 landlord-tenant filings at the magisterial district level in 2024, and court clerks reject or continue an estimated 1 in 6 complaints because of field-level errors on the MJ-307 form itself.
In this guide, you will learn:
- 📝 How to complete every box on Form MJ-307 line by line, with sample entries
- 📅 Which deadlines, notice periods, and filing fees apply under Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J. 503
- 💼 Three full filled-out walkthroughs from real landlord scenarios
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes that get complaints dismissed at the hearing
- ❓ Field-specific FAQs answering the questions filers actually ask the clerk
What Form MJ-307 Is and Who Must File It
Form MJ-307 is the official two-page civil complaint that starts a landlord-tenant action in a Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court, the small-claims tier of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. It tells the court three things at once: who the landlord is, who the tenant is, and what the landlord wants (possession, money, or both). The form is governed by the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure for Magisterial District Judges, specifically Rules 503 through 514.
Any person or entity that rents real property to another person under a written or oral lease can file Form MJ-307. That includes individual mom-and-pop landlords, property management companies acting as agents, housing authorities, mobile home park operators, and commercial landlords. Tenants do not file MJ-307; they respond to it, and may file a counterclaim on the same form using the cross-complaint section.
The form lives at the intersection of state property law and local court procedure. The Magisterial District Judge hears the case within 7 to 15 days of filing, issues a written judgment, and the losing party has 10 days to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas under Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J. 1002. If the landlord wins possession, an Order for Possession (Form MDJS 309A) follows automatically after 10 days unless the tenant pays or appeals.
A common misconception is that Form MJ-307 also evicts the tenant. It does not. The complaint only secures the judgment; the Order for Possession and a constable’s actual physical eviction are separate later steps governed by Rule 515.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filers who walk into the magisterial district court without the right paperwork get sent home, and the 10-day notice clock keeps running. Gather these items first, because the Pennsylvania Bar Association landlord-tenant guide lists missing documentation as the leading cause of continuance.
The pre-filing checklist:
- A signed copy of the lease. The court verifies the rent amount, the term, and the parties named on Form MJ-307 against the lease. Without it, the judge can dismiss the rent claim.
- Proof of the 10-day or 15-day Notice to Quit. The Landlord and Tenant Act requires written notice before filing, and the notice and proof of service must be attached.
- A current rent ledger. This itemizes every charge, payment, and balance, and it becomes the source for Box 7’s money damages number.
- The tenant’s full legal name and current address. Misspellings cause service failures, and a failed service voids the hearing.
- The exact property address, including unit number. The constable serves the complaint at this address, and a wrong unit number kills service.
- The date the lease started and, if applicable, the date it ended. This proves whether the tenancy is term, month-to-month, or holdover.
- The security deposit amount on file. Pennsylvania caps deposits at two months’ rent in year one under 68 P.S. § 250.511a.
- Photo ID and payment for the filing fee. Magisterial district courts accept cash, money order, and most credit cards through the PAePay portal.
- A list of any property damages with dollar amounts. Damages above ordinary wear and tear go in Box 7c.
- Your business entity paperwork, if filing as an LLC or corporation. Pennsylvania requires a licensed attorney to represent any entity in court under 42 Pa.C.S. § 2524, with a narrow self-representation exception for sole-member LLCs in MDJ court.
If any item is missing, the clerk will accept the form but flag it for the judge, and the hearing usually ends in a continuance. A continuance costs the landlord another two weeks of unpaid rent on average.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Form MJ-307 is a free, public form published by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. The fastest way to get the current version is the statewide forms library, which posts every magisterial district form as a fillable PDF. Always confirm the revision stamp at the bottom right of page 2 reads AOPC 307A-08-23 or later, because older versions omit the 2023 cross-complaint update.
Three legitimate access channels exist. The first is the PA Courts forms page, where you can download, type into, save, and print the PDF at home. The second is in person at any Magisterial District Court office, where the clerk will hand you a paper form. The third is the PAePay e-filing portal, which lets registered users complete and submit Form MJ-307 entirely online in counties that have opted in, including Allegheny, Chester, and Bucks.
A frequent mistake is downloading the form from a third-party legal site that shows an outdated 2018 revision. Old revisions still circulate on document-sharing platforms, and clerks reject them on sight. Stick to the pacourts.us domain to be safe.
The form prints on standard letter paper, two pages, and must be filed in the original plus one copy per defendant. If you sue two co-tenants, bring three sets total: one for the court and one for each tenant the constable serves.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Form MJ-307 Line by Line
Form MJ-307 is organized into a header block, a plaintiff section, a defendant section, a claims section, a notice and verification block, and a signature line. Work top-down, in the order printed on the form, and keep the lease and rent ledger open beside you.
Magisterial District Number (Top-Right Header)
The header asks for the Magisterial District Number in a format like MDJ-05-2-09. This is the unique court identifier for the district where the rental property sits, not where the landlord lives. Use the MDJ locator tool and enter the property’s zip code to find the correct district.
For example, Maria Lopez, a landlord whose rental is at 412 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, looks up the property and writes MDJ-05-2-09 in the box. She does not write the district where her own home sits in Mt. Lebanon.
A nuance: properties that straddle two zip codes occasionally fall into ambiguous districts. When in doubt, call the closer court office, because filing in the wrong district triggers a transfer that delays the hearing by 10 to 14 days.
The most common mistake here is writing the county instead of the magisterial district, and the consequence is the clerk re-routes the filing to the right court but charges a re-filing fee.
A misconception is that any MDJ in the county can hear the case. They cannot. Venue is fixed by the property’s location under Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J. 302.
Court Address Block
Right under the district number, you write the court’s full mailing address. Use the address printed on the MDJ directory page for that district.
For Maria Lopez, that means writing 4341 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 on the address line. Capitalize street names but skip ALL CAPS, because the form scanner reads mixed case fine.
A nuance: some MDJ offices share a building but assign different suite numbers. Always include the suite, because mail lacking a suite gets returned to the sender, costing two business days.
The most frequent mistake is using the judge’s personal address instead of the court’s mailing address, and the consequence is total delivery failure if you mail the original copy.
A common misconception is that you can leave this blank and let the clerk fill it in. The clerk will not. They will hand the form back across the counter.
Box 1 – Plaintiff Name and Address
Box 1 is the Plaintiff field. Write the full legal name of the landlord exactly as it appears on the deed or the lease. If a property management company files on behalf of the owner, both names go on the line, separated by as agent for.
Maria Lopez writes Maria E. Lopez, 88 Beechwood Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 in Box 1. Allegheny Property Group LLC writes Allegheny Property Group LLC as agent for John Park, 100 Smithfield St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
The nuance here is the agent line. Pennsylvania allows a non-attorney property manager to file as agent only if they hold a written agency agreement; otherwise the filing is unauthorized practice of law under 42 Pa.C.S. § 2524.
The common mistake is writing the trade name (“Penn Realty”) instead of the registered legal name (“Penn Realty LLC”), and the consequence is the judgment is unenforceable because no legal entity by that exact name exists in the PA Department of State business search.
A misconception filers carry is that listing the spouse’s name as co-plaintiff is automatic. It is not; the spouse must be on the deed, and putting a non-owner spouse here invites a defense motion to strike.
Box 2 – Defendant Name and Address
Box 2 is the Defendant field. Enter the tenant’s full legal name and the rental property’s address, even if the tenant has fled. The constable serves at this address.
Marcus Greene, a tenant at 412 Penn Avenue, Apt. 3B, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, gets entered exactly that way, with the apartment number on the same line. If two co-tenants are on the lease, enter both names separated by and.
The nuance is unknown adult occupants. If the landlord knows another adult lives there but is not on the lease, list them as John Doe, occupant, because a judgment against a named adult occupant blocks them from re-occupying after the eviction.
The common mistake is omitting the unit number, and the consequence is the constable cannot serve, so the case is continued and the landlord pays a re-service fee of $15 to $35 depending on county.
A misconception is that a nickname or shortened first name is fine. It is not; a judgment against Marc Greene may be unenforceable against Marcus Greene if the tenant later disputes identity.
Box 3 – Type of Action
Box 3 is a checkbox cluster: Recovery of Possession of Real Property, Money Judgment Only, or Both. Check the boxes that match what you actually want, because the judge can only grant relief that was requested.
Maria Lopez wants both possession and back rent, so she checks both Recovery of Possession and Money Judgment. A landlord who only wants money from a former tenant who already moved out checks only Money Judgment Only.
The nuance: a holdover tenant who pays partial rent during the case can still be evicted only if you checked Recovery of Possession. The check, not the facts, defines the relief available.
The common mistake is checking only Money Judgment when you also want the tenant out, and the consequence is the judge enters money damages but leaves the tenant in the property, forcing a second filing.
A misconception is that the court will figure out what you want from the facts. It will not; magisterial district judges decide strictly within the boxes you check.
Box 4 – Lease Information
Box 4 captures the lease type (written or oral), the start date, the monthly rent, and the security deposit amount. Use MM/DD/YYYY format and dollar amounts to the cent.
Maria Lopez writes Written, 06/01/2024, $1,200.00, $2,400.00 in Box 4. The deposit equals two months because the lease began less than a year ago, and that is the statutory cap under 68 P.S. § 250.511a.
The nuance: month-to-month tenancies after a fixed term ends should still show the original lease start date, not the conversion date, because the original written lease still governs unless replaced.
The common mistake is rounding rent to the nearest dollar, and the consequence is the judgment amount drifts from the ledger by a few dollars per month, which a tenant’s lawyer can use to attack credibility.
A misconception is that an oral lease cannot be enforced. It can; oral residential leases under three years are valid in Pennsylvania, but you must check Oral and be ready to testify to the terms.
Box 5 – Notice to Quit
Box 5 asks whether the landlord served a Notice to Quit and, if so, the date. The Landlord and Tenant Act requires 10 days’ notice for non-payment and 15 days’ notice for end-of-term (30 days if the lease ran more than a year), as stated in 68 P.S. § 250.501.
Maria Lopez posted the notice on the door on 03/01/2026 and mailed a copy the same day, so she writes 03/01/2026 in Box 5 and attaches the notice and proof of service.
The nuance: many leases waive the Notice to Quit requirement. If yours does, check the Notice waived in lease box and attach the lease page that shows the waiver clause.
The common mistake is filing the complaint before the notice period expires, and the consequence is automatic dismissal under Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J. 503 because the cause of action has not yet ripened.
A misconception is that text messages or emails count as notice. They do not; notice must be written and either personally served, posted on the property, or mailed.
Box 6 – Reason for Possession
Box 6 is a short narrative box. Write the legal reason in plain English: Non-payment of rent, Breach of lease covenant, End of term, holdover, or Illegal activity on premises.
Maria Lopez writes Non-payment of rent for March and April 2026 in Box 6. She does not write the tenant’s life story; the judge wants the legal ground in one sentence.
The nuance is that you may list more than one reason. Non-payment plus unauthorized pet is a valid combined ground if both are independently violated.
The common mistake is writing emotional commentary (“tenant is rude and lazy”), and the consequence is the judge mentally discounts your credibility before testimony begins.
A misconception is that the reason must match the Notice to Quit word for word. It must match in substance, not in wording, but staying close to the notice’s language is safer.
Box 7 – Money Damages Itemization
Box 7 has three sub-lines: 7a Rent in arrears, 7b Damages to property, and 7c Other charges. Add them up on Box 7d Total. Magisterial district courts cap money damages at $12,000 under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515, although possession actions are not subject to that cap.
Maria Lopez enters $2,400.00 on 7a (two months’ rent), $350.00 on 7b (broken interior door), $75.00 on 7c (late fees per lease), and $2,825.00 on 7d.
The nuance: late fees must be authorized in the written lease, and Pennsylvania courts routinely strike late fees above 10% of monthly rent as unconscionable.
The common mistake is bundling future rent into 7a, and the consequence is the judge strikes the future-rent portion because only rent due as of the filing date is recoverable in MDJ court.
A misconception is that emotional distress or “loss of peace of mind” is recoverable here. It is not; magisterial district court is strictly contract and statutory damages.
Box 8 – Verification and Signature
Box 8 is the verification line where the plaintiff signs under penalty of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (unsworn falsification to authorities). Sign in blue or black ink, date in MM/DD/YYYY, and print your name beneath.
Maria Lopez signs Maria E. Lopez, dates 04/15/2026, and prints her name. If a property manager files, the manager signs as agent and attaches the agency authorization.
The nuance: an unsigned complaint is a nullity. The clerk will reject it at the counter, and any unsigned mailed complaint is returned for re-execution.
The common mistake is signing on behalf of someone else without written authority, and the consequence is a misdemeanor unsworn-falsification charge in serious cases.
A misconception is that an electronic signature in the PDF is automatically accepted. It is in counties using PAePay; it is not in counties that still require wet-ink filings.
Box 9 – Cross-Complaint by Defendant (Tenant Use Only)
Box 9 is the tenant’s counterclaim space, used when the tenant alleges, for example, withheld security deposit or breach of warranty of habitability. Tenants fill it in only after they have been served and at or before the hearing.
A tenant named Marcus Greene writes Plaintiff failed to return $2,400.00 security deposit within 30 days of move-out, in violation of 68 P.S. § 250.512 in Box 9.
The nuance: a tenant cross-complaint must stay within the $12,000 MDJ jurisdictional cap, just like the plaintiff’s claim.
The common mistake (by tenants) is leaving the box blank and trying to raise the claim orally at the hearing, and the consequence is the judge may refuse to hear it under Rule 315.
A misconception is that double-damage security deposit claims under 68 P.S. § 250.512 require a separate lawsuit. They do not; they belong in Box 9.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three named scenarios show how Form MJ-307 looks for the most common landlord situations in Pennsylvania, drawing on filing patterns published by the Pennsylvania Apartment Association.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez – Non-Payment Eviction in Allegheny County
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Magisterial District Number | MDJ-05-2-09 |
| Court Address | 4341 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 |
| Box 1 – Plaintiff | Maria E. Lopez, 88 Beechwood Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 |
| Box 2 – Defendant | Marcus Greene, 412 Penn Ave., Apt. 3B, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 |
| Box 3 – Action | Both Possession and Money Judgment |
| Box 4 – Lease | Written, 06/01/2024, $1,200.00, $2,400.00 |
| Box 5 – Notice to Quit | 03/01/2026 |
| Box 6 – Reason | Non-payment of rent for March and April 2026 |
| Box 7 – Damages | 7a $2,400.00, 7b $350.00, 7c $75.00, 7d $2,825.00 |
| Box 8 – Signature | Maria E. Lopez, 04/15/2026 |
Scenario 2: Allegheny Property Group LLC – Holdover After Lease Expiration
| Form Section | What the Property Manager Enters |
|---|---|
| Magisterial District Number | MDJ-02-3-04 |
| Court Address | 200 Ross St., 1st Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
| Box 1 – Plaintiff | Allegheny Property Group LLC as agent for John Park |
| Box 2 – Defendant | Janet Reyes, 99 Forbes Ave., Unit 7, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 |
| Box 3 – Action | Recovery of Possession only |
| Box 4 – Lease | Written, 09/01/2024, $1,800.00, $1,800.00 |
| Box 5 – Notice to Quit | 02/15/2026 (30-day end-of-term notice) |
| Box 6 – Reason | End of term, tenant holdover after lease expired 02/28/2026 |
| Box 7 – Damages | 7a $0, 7b $0, 7c $0, 7d $0 |
| Box 8 – Signature | Daniel Cho, Property Manager, as agent, 03/20/2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha Bell – Single-Family Rental, Money Judgment Only
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Magisterial District Number | MDJ-38-3-02 |
| Court Address | 123 W. King St., Lancaster, PA 17603 |
| Box 1 – Plaintiff | Aisha Bell, 22 Maple Lane, Lancaster, PA 17602 |
| Box 2 – Defendant | Carlos Rivera, last known: 88 Cedar St., Lancaster, PA 17603 |
| Box 3 – Action | Money Judgment Only |
| Box 4 – Lease | Oral, 01/01/2025, $950.00, $950.00 |
| Box 5 – Notice to Quit | Waived – tenant vacated 02/05/2026 |
| Box 6 – Reason | Unpaid rent and damages after voluntary move-out |
| Box 7 – Damages | 7a $1,900.00, 7b $1,200.00 (carpet), 7c $0, 7d $3,100.00 |
| Box 8 – Signature | Aisha Bell, 02/28/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Pennsylvania allows three filing channels for Form MJ-307: in person, by mail, and through the PAePay e-filing portal where the county participates. Each channel has different processing times and proof-of-filing rules.
In person is the most common path. Walk into the magisterial district court office during business hours (typically 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), hand the clerk the original plus one copy per defendant, and pay the filing fee. Fees range from $117.50 in rural counties to $174.50 in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties, per the unified fee schedule. Accepted payments are cash, money order, certified check, and most credit cards. Keep the time-stamped receipt; it is your proof of filing.
By mail works in every county. Send the original, copies, and a check or money order to the court address printed in Box 0. Expect 5 to 10 business days before the clerk dockets the case. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive your time-stamped copy back as proof of filing.
Online filing through PAePay is available in roughly 25 counties, including Bucks, Chester, Allegheny, and Lehigh. Register at ujsportal.pacourts.us, upload the completed PDF, pay by credit card, and receive an electronic receipt within minutes. Processing time runs 1 to 3 business days to docketing, the fastest of the three channels.
After filing, the constable or sheriff serves the complaint within 7 days, and the hearing is set within 7 to 15 days of filing under Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J. 503.
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk dockets Form MJ-307, three things happen in sequence. First, the court issues a hearing notice with the date, time, and location. Second, the constable serves the complaint and notice on the tenant by hand-delivery or by posting the door and mailing a copy under Rule 506. Third, the parties appear at the hearing, present evidence, and the judge rules from the bench or within three business days.
If the landlord wins, the judge enters a written judgment for possession and money damages. The tenant has 10 days to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas. After the 10 days expire, the landlord files a separate Order for Possession (MDJS 309A), waits another 11 days, and then schedules the constable’s lockout.
If the tenant wins or the case is dismissed, the landlord can appeal within 30 days under Rule 1002 by filing a Notice of Appeal and praecipe at the Court of Common Pleas. The appeal is de novo, meaning the case starts fresh on the record of the higher court.
A common misconception is that winning at MDJ court means the tenant must leave immediately. They do not; the 10-day appeal window plus the 11-day post-Order-for-Possession period gives the tenant at least 21 days in the property after the judgment.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
These are the ten errors that most often kill a Form MJ-307 case at the hearing, drawn from clerk-rejection logs and reported decisions of the Court of Common Pleas.
- Filing in the wrong magisterial district. The case is transferred and delayed by 10 to 14 days, and the rent meter keeps running.
- Misspelling the tenant’s legal name. Service fails or the judgment becomes unenforceable against the correct person.
- Omitting the apartment or unit number. The constable cannot serve, and you pay a re-service fee.
- Filing before the Notice to Quit period expires. The judge dismisses for lack of ripeness under Rule 503.
- Checking only Money Judgment when you also want possession. The tenant stays in the property even after you win.
- Inflating late fees beyond the lease cap. The judge strikes the inflated portion, undermining your credibility on other claims.
- Including future rent in Box 7a. Future rent is not recoverable in MDJ court; the judge strikes it.
- Using a trade name instead of the registered LLC name. The judgment is unenforceable because no entity by that exact name exists in PA Department of State records.
- Forgetting to attach the lease and Notice to Quit. The judge continues the hearing, costing two more weeks of unpaid rent.
- Signing without dating Box 8. The clerk treats the form as unverified and rejects it at the counter.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do verify the magisterial district by property zip code on the MDJ locator before writing in the header, because venue errors trigger automatic transfer.
- Do bring the lease, rent ledger, Notice to Quit, and proof of service to filing, because the clerk timestamps everything together.
- Do use the tenant’s full legal name as it appears on the lease, because identity mismatches kill enforcement later.
- Do print all dates in MM/DD/YYYY format, because mixed formats cause docket-entry errors that can require a corrective petition.
- Do keep an extra copy for your own records, because the clerk will not photocopy missing pages later for free.
- Do calendar the hearing date the same day you file, because some MDJ courts only mail the notice and missed mail equals a default against you.
Don’ts
- Don’t file before the Notice to Quit period ends, because the case will be dismissed for ripeness.
- Don’t use white-out or cross-outs on the form, because clerks treat altered forms as defective and reject them at the counter.
- Don’t add hand-written paragraphs in the margins, because they are not part of the verified pleading and the judge ignores them.
- Don’t list a non-owner spouse as co-plaintiff, because the tenant’s lawyer can move to strike, costing a hearing day.
- Don’t rely on text messages to prove notice, because Pennsylvania law requires written notice with documented service.
- Don’t mail the original without a self-addressed stamped envelope, because you lose your timestamped proof of filing.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se
- You save the $250 to $750 flat fee that landlord-tenant attorneys typically charge for an MDJ-only case, per the Pennsylvania Bar Association fee survey.
- You control the timeline directly, without waiting on a lawyer’s calendar.
- Magisterial district court is designed for non-lawyers, with simplified rules.
- You learn the process, which pays off if you ever file again.
- For straightforward non-payment cases, the success rate for pro se landlords is comparable to represented landlords.
Cons of filing pro se
- You bear all the risk of field-level errors, and a single mistake can cost you the case.
- LLCs and corporations cannot file pro se in most courts, requiring an attorney by statute.
- You will not spot defenses like Section 8 procedural violations or implied-warranty-of-habitability claims that a lawyer flags instantly.
- Cross-examination of a tenant who shows up with a Neighborhood Legal Services lawyer is brutal without training.
- Appeals to the Court of Common Pleas are more formal, and pro se appellants lose at a higher rate.
Filing by Mail vs. Online Through PAePay
| Filing Channel | Key Features |
|---|---|
| 5 to 10 business days to docket, paper check or money order, no real-time confirmation, requires SASE for proof | |
| Online (PAePay) | 1 to 3 business days to docket, credit card, instant electronic receipt, available in ~25 counties |
FAQs
Is Pennsylvania Form MJ-307 the same in every county?
Yes. The form is a statewide AOPC form, identical in all 67 counties, although filing fees and the availability of e-filing vary by judicial district under local administrative orders.
Can I file Form MJ-307 if I have no written lease?
Yes. Oral residential leases under three years are valid under the Statute of Frauds, and you check the Oral box in Box 4 and testify to the rent and term at the hearing.
Do I write the property address or my home address in Box 1?
No. Box 1 is the plaintiff’s address, meaning the landlord’s mailing address. The rental property address goes in Box 2 with the tenant.
Should I write the tenant’s nickname in Box 2 if that’s what they go by?
No. Use the tenant’s full legal name from the lease or government ID, because a judgment against a nickname can be challenged as unenforceable.
Do I need to check both boxes in Box 3 to evict and collect rent?
Yes. Box 3 is cumulative, not exclusive, and you must check both Recovery of Possession and Money Judgment to receive both forms of relief.
Is the Notice to Quit date in Box 5 the date I drafted the notice or served it?
No. Use the service date, meaning the date you posted, hand-delivered, or mailed the notice, because the 10- or 15-day clock runs from service.
Can I include attorney’s fees in Box 7c?
Yes, but only if the lease expressly authorizes them, and the judge will review the amount for reasonableness even when the lease allows it.
Is there a damages cap on Form MJ-307 claims?
Yes. Magisterial district court money damages are capped at $12,000 under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1515, although possession actions are not subject to that cap.
Can a property manager sign Box 8 instead of the owner?
Yes, if the manager is acting under a written agency agreement, but the manager must sign as agent for [owner] and attach the authorization.
Do I need to attach the lease to the filing?
Yes, when the lease is written. Attach a copy of the signed lease, the Notice to Quit, and proof of service, because the judge expects those exhibits at the hearing.
Can I e-file Form MJ-307 in Philadelphia County?
No. Philadelphia County uses the Philadelphia Municipal Court Landlord-Tenant Division instead of magisterial district courts, so MJ-307 is not the correct form there.
Will the court evict the tenant immediately after I win?
No. The tenant has 10 days to appeal, and after that you must file an Order for Possession and wait another 11 days before the constable’s lockout, totaling at least 21 days post-judgment.
Can I add a co-tenant to Box 2 after filing?
No. Adding a defendant requires an amended complaint and re-service, which restarts the service clock and typically delays the hearing by 7 to 14 days.
Does signing Box 8 mean I am under oath?
Yes. Box 8 is a verification under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904, and false statements are a misdemeanor of the second or third degree depending on the falsification.
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