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 landlords to designate a principal agent who is personally liable for severe habitability violations. The bill creates a new Habitability Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Program within the Department of Community Affairs, funded with $5 million, to provide tenant advocacy and initiate lawsuits on behalf of tenants for habitability violations. Tenants can now seek $1,000 for standard habitability violations and $2,000 for severe violations, plus attorney's fees, and the bill establishes a database to track habitability violations across the state. This legislation directly affects residential tenants, landlords, and the Department of Community Affairs, with key provisions including mandatory principal agent designation and codified tenant remedies.