Legal or equitable defense. On or before the day fixed for his appearance, the defendant may appear and answer and assert any legal or equitable defense, setoff or counterclaim. Writ of restitution. Upon petition for restitution filed by the owner if judgment is rendered against the defendant for restitution of the premises, the court shall declare the forfeiture of the rental agreement and shall, at the request of the plaintiff or his attorney, issue a writ of restitution directing the sheriff to restore possession of the premises to the plaintiff on a specified date not less than three nor more than seven days after entry of judgment. Upon a petition for restitution filed by the resident, if judgment is rendered against the defendant for restitution of the premises, the court shall, at the request of the plaintiff or his attorney, issue a writ of restitution directing the sheriff to restore possession of the premises to the plaintiff within twenty-four hours after entry of judgment.
Appeal stays execution.
If either party feels aggrieved by the judgment, he may appeal as in other civil actions. The resident shall continue to pay the monthly rent established by the rental agreement at the time the complaint was filed, into the escrow account on a monthly basis on the date rent would otherwise become due. Payments into an escrow account pursuant to this subsection by a subsidized resident shall not exceed the actual amount of monthly rent paid by that resident. Such amounts shall be paid over to the owner monthly unless otherwise ordered by the trial court. If the resident fails to deposit the rent within three days, a hearing on the issue shall be scheduled within ten days from the date the court is notified of the failure to deposit rent.