> The landlord I found out did not have a rental license the entire time.

&

>My landlord is threatening legal action.

LOL

What's the saying? Do one illegal thing at a time? If you're going to rent out a spot without a license, be the best landlord a tenant can have.

Assuming you're in the city, my understanding is: it was illegal for your landlord to collect rent from you and you are legally entitled to get all eight years of rent back. Get a calculator and decide if it's worth finding a lawyer to sue them (hint: probably yes).