landlord would not fix repairs, had to call code enforcement & now landlord refused my sept. rent payment, & said she has contacted her lawyer, I went

You should speak with a local consumer rights attorney or landlord/tenant attorney.  There are various statutes that may protect you.  The Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act may protect your interests against the landlord, but not all counties in Tennessee fall under the act so a local attorney will be able to determine if the act applies to your situation. This is not intended to be legal advice, and is general in its nature. No attorney-client relationship exists or is formed by this information. Furthermore, this does not represent the views or opinions of LexisNexis or its affiliated companies.