Nearly 6,000 evictions were filed in New Jersey's courts last month, pushing the statewide total of landlord-tenant cases since April to 32,000.

While the state's moratorium on anyone getting locked out of their home lasts through the end of year, landlords are still allowed to start the process in court. Records show about a third of September's filings are from Essex County alone. Since April, landlords in Essex County have filed more than 7,500 evictions filings — the most in any of the state's 21 counties. 

Gov. Phil Murphy has set aside another $12 million dollars in federal aid to help those who can't pay rent. That's on top of the $100 million he allotted this summer that helped 8,000 residents. The additional money will help families who applied for the program but were wait-listed when the funds ran out.

In the meantime, a bill that would give renters more time to make their monthly payments when the moratorium lifts, remains stalled in the New Jersey State Senate.