Electric Socket Cover Missing.. Who's responsibility?

[Rafael Norat]

So I have a section 8 tenant who moved out of state but left her belonging in my rental unit for 3 months. Within that time, which section 8 continued to pay, the electric was turned off due to lack of payment. She finally came to pick her stuff up over the weekend. Problem: The electric company came today to start service again, but the meter socket cover is missing. They tried to use another cover but cannot find a match. I now need to hire an electrician to inspect the meter socket and replace the cover. Question: Is this the previous tenants potential cost? Electric company believes the tenant may have removed to turn on the power, damaged the box, and disposed of. I have no visual proof it was the tenant, but the cover was not missing before. Still have their security to disburse. Thoughts?

[Loren Thomas]

The meter base, cover, and ring belong the the owner of the property. The meter itself and the ring lock are owned by the utility. 

Can you prove it was tampered with by the tenant?