The "Safeguarding Livable Units through Municipal Landlord Oversight and Regulation by DCA" or "SLUMLORD Act"; strengthens habitability protections for residential tenants; appropriates $5 million.

The SLUMLORD Act strengthens habitability protections for residential tenants in New Jersey by requiring rental units to meet health and safety standards. It defines "habitability" to include freedom from conditions endangering life, health, or safety (such as violations of building codes), and mandates landlords to appoint a "principal agent" to handle tenant complaints about habitability issues. The bill appropriates $5 million to fund enforcement through the Department of Community Affairs' Bureau of Housing Inspection. It directly affects landlords of multi-unit properties (excluding single-family or owner-occupied buildings with ≤3 units) by imposing new maintenance obligations and oversight requirements.