My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: NY and/or NJ (I think)

I live in NY renting an apartment from an absentee landlord who lives in NJ. I get rent assistance through the state. The landlord does not want to come to NY (the cks are sent to my address) and get the checks and cash them. Instead he wants me to cash them and then send him a money order. Anyway since the checks are made out to both of us can I legally do this?