Enhances oversight of enforcement of municipal rent control and rent leveling ordinances; establishes Rental Control Ombudsman in DCA; appropriates $4 million.

This bill (A 3994) strengthens enforcement of local rent control and rent leveling laws in New Jersey municipalities. It directly affects tenants in rent-controlled areas by creating new tools to hold municipalities accountable when they fail to enforce these ordinances. Key provisions include establishing a Rental Control Ombudsman in the Department of Community Affairs to handle complaints and refer cases to the Attorney General, and allowing tenants (or tenant associations) to sue municipalities for non-enforcement after 30 days of missed deadlines or no response. The bill appropriates $4 million total ($2 million to the Attorney General and $2 million to fund the Ombudsman's office) to support these enforcement mechanisms, which take effect immediately.