Tenant paid water bill and leak

[Carolyn Ward]

In this city the water/sewer/trash bill if unpaid can create a lien on the property.  At one property we manage, the irrigation system sprang a leak underground that went unseen by both the tenant and the yard maintenance company.  The first water billed doubled from @ $75 to $150 and the tenants were not alarmed.  We have evaporative cooling  here and they assumed it was the cooler since the weather had been very hot.  The next bill was about $368!  They took notice and called to have us check for a leak, which was found.  Now they ask for help from the owner with the water bill.  Owner says they'll pay half of the first bill, but not the second because they believe the tenant should have notified us sooner of the leak.  Reactions please.