Intent to Lien for Previous Owner's Utilities

[Craig Clark]

Hi BP, 

We just got a letter for one of our rental properties (it's quickly becoming a problem property for me,) and it is a "30 day notice of an intent to file a Municipal Lien" for an $8000.00 past due utility bill accumulated by the previous owner over a year before we purchased the property.   We were wondering if we could get some advice on how to handle this because we are still very much real estate toddlers trying to learn to walk.  When we purchased the property, the selling bank was very difficult to deal with and absolutely refused to allow us to have any utilities turned on during inspection, and now I can see why.  We did get title insurance but I am wondering if this is something our title company should have caught?  Additionally, this property, has been refinanced twice and this did not come up as an issue.  I am already kicking off an email to my title company but I am curious if we have any additional options here, are there other things we should be considering or doing to fight this, or am I worrying about nothing? 

Thanks BP