Bill > S4347

This bill establishes the "Safeguarding Livable Units through Municipal Landlord Oversight and Regulation by DCA" (SLUMLORD) Act, which significantly strengthens tenant protections and creates new mechanisms to enforce housing habitability standards. The bill creates a new Habitability Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Program within the Department of Community Affairs, which will include a Tenant Advocate Director and a Director of Affirmative Litigation to help tenants address habitability violations. Landlords will be required to designate a principal agent responsible for addressing tenant complaints, and tenants will have expanded legal rights to sue for habitability violations, including the ability to recover damages ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per violation, plus attorney's fees. The bill also establishes a habitability database to track landlord violations, allows municipalities to intervene and repair properties if landlords fail to address serious habitability issues, and creates potential personal liability for principal agents who repeatedly allow severe habitability violations. Additionally, the bill appropriates $5 million to implement the program and defines key terms like "habitability violation" and "severe habitability violation" to provide clear standards for enforcement. The legislation aims to protect tenants from substandard living conditions and provide meaningful remedies when landlords fail to maintain safe, livable rental units.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4347