Final answer:
The best advice for a client who has been notified of a writ of possession is to prepare to move immediately (option c). Once this writ has been issued, the tenant has very little time before law enforcement enforces the eviction, and other options are unlikely to prevent the eviction at this stage.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a client has been notified that their landlord has been granted a writ of possession, this means that the landlord has obtained a court order for the eviction of the tenant, and the legal process has progressed to the point where the tenant will be required to vacate the premises. Given this context, the best advice a housing counselor could provide to the client would be to prepare to move immediately. This is because once a writ of possession has been issued, there is very little time before the eviction is enforced by the sheriff or other local law enforcement. Staying in the unit, appealing to the landlord, or responding to the court at this late stage are unlikely to prevent the eviction. Instead, the client should focus on finding new accommodations and moving their belongings securely out of the property to avoid additional legal complications or the potential loss of their possessions.
The advice to prepare to move immediately aligns with the typical legal proceedings following a writ of possession, which signifies that the court has already made a final decision and the opportunity to pay past due rent, respond to the court, or negotiate with the landlord has likely passed. It is essential for the client to understand that adherence to the legal process is important to avoid further legal issues or potential fines. The earlier advice provided in the lease agreement to give a 30-day written notice is applicable when terminating a month-to-month lease under normal circumstances. However, a writ of possession indicates that the situation has escalated beyond this point. In the event that the writ of possession was issued due to improper conduct or misinformation, the client should seek immediate legal advice to understand if there are any remaining options to appeal or delay the eviction.