Short answer. If the complaint's allegations are found true, judgment restores the plaintiff to the premises and awards arrears of rent or reasonable compensation for use and occupation, plus attorney's fees and costs; if not true, the defendant recovers costs, and an established counterclaim is resolved with costs as justice requires.

What the law says

If after trial the court finds that the allegations of the complaint are true, it shall render judgment in favor of the plaintiff for the restitution of the premises, the sum justly due as arrears of rent or as reasonable compensation for the use and occupation of the premises, attorney's fees and costs. If it finds that said allegations are not true, it shall render judgment for the defendant to recover his costs. If a counterclaim is established, the court shall render judgment for the sum found in arrears from either party and award costs as justice requires.

Rule 70, Section 17 — Judgment. Read the full provision →

What a plaintiff wins

If, after trial, the court finds the complaint's allegations true, the judgment does more than just order restitution of the premises. It also awards the sum justly due as arrears of rent, or reasonable compensation for the use and occupation of the premises, together with attorney's fees and costs. Bundling these money awards together with restitution in a single judgment means a prevailing plaintiff does not have to file a separate action just to recover what is owed for the period the defendant wrongfully held the property.

What happens if the allegations are not proven

The judgment does not automatically favor the plaintiff. If the court finds the allegations are not true, it renders judgment for the defendant instead, allowing the defendant to recover their own costs — the outcome turns entirely on whether the plaintiff's allegations actually hold up at trial. This symmetry underscores that summary procedure, despite its speed, still requires the plaintiff to actually prove the case rather than simply benefit from having filed first, and it gives a defendant who successfully defends against a weak or unsupported complaint a concrete recovery rather than merely avoiding liability.

Counterclaims get resolved too

If a counterclaim was established during the proceedings, the court's judgment addresses that as well, rendering judgment for whatever sum is found in arrears from either party, and awarding costs as justice requires — the judgment settles the full financial picture between the parties, not just the underlying possession dispute itself. Resolving both the plaintiff's claim and any established counterclaim in a single judgment avoids the need for a follow-up proceeding to sort out who owes whom once the possession question has already been settled by the same judgment.

Related provisions

Note. Statute text quoted on this page is reproduced from the official enactment and is linked to the full provision. The explanation around it is general legal information from Vivas & Nobles Law Office, not legal advice. Whether it applies to your situation depends on facts only a lawyer reviewing them can assess.