New federal guidelines on rent relief are out. This could complicate things for New York’s program.
The White House’s guidelines require that aid be offered directly to tenants in cases where the landlord refuses to cooperate. They also allow states to provide funds directly to tenants without first contacting their landlords.
Meanwhile, New York’s rules permit landlords or tenants to apply for funds, but landlords are not required to accept the funds. In those cases, other tenant protections kick in, but the funds are routed to another household and landlord. It is not yet clear if the federal rules will require state legislators to tweak their bill. Some landlords are concerned that the federal guidelines don’t explicitly state that tenants must use any relief they receive for rent arrears.