I live in a basement since march 1,2010?

I pay 800 rent she only give me a receipt for month and half security deposit and 1 month rent i pay every month cash, on december 2010 i dint have the compleate money for the rent since i get pay every two weeks and a son in college i was tight of money i told them i will have the rest of the money on the 13 so if you want take the half that i have now. well to make the story short i receive a court letter for non payment rent, im still in shock but i said something is fishy here im going to call the city inspector,and boom the basement is illegal now i guess i have to say that in court?