In Alabama the law is practiced by whoever, in a representative capacity appears as an advocate or draws papers, pleadings, or documents for another. 

I once managed a property for a family member and have found myself a little guilty of that!

It sucks and you feel guilty but I just focus on the other people that want to talk  with me and actually need my help.  

Under the same condition you hire a RE lawyer and innocent or guilty your going to have a crying wife, a ruined year, and even possible health problems from the degree of injustice felt, plus the degree of insult from being a victim of this carefully engineered theft. 

@Nikolai Sazonov That sucks, and I'm sure I'm guilty of forgetting to respond to people myself at times. 

If you want to pursue it after you buy, you can always go to the county & plead the case that they are including the garage as livable space.

(a) Any person violating any provision of this Article, the rules and regulations of the Director, or the conditions and requirements contained in the permit, as any or all of such provisions, rules, regulations, conditions or requirements may be amended, shall be deemed guilty of an ordinance violation, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided in Section 34-864.

Well, obviously the contractor is trying to intimidate the client hoping he can use fear/ some sense of a guilty conscience to get paid.

I know I have been a little guilty of not checking every time tenants move out but it should be part of any landlord's protocol as it also takes care of long term issues.

I wouldn't make people feel guilty for applying for an available "loan" with good terms from the federal government.