Attorneys at The Legal Aid Society expressed strong support for new federal guidelines requiring that rent relief funds be offered directly to qualifying tenants in cases where the landlord refuses to cooperate with New York’s yet-to-be-launched relief program.

The state’s current rules allow landlords or tenants to apply for funds, but the two parties must work together in order for back rent to be covered by federal dollars. The new federal guidelines – with which states must comply – leave the door open for states to channel funds directly to tenants without first contacting their landlords.

Ellen Davidson, a staff attorney at The Legal Aid Society, told The Real Deal some landlords are reluctant to cooperate with the program over concerns in releasing their taxpayer identification numbers to city or state agencies.

“We see landlords who absolutely refuse to cooperate to get money that is owed to them,” said Davidson.