,What a landlord CAN do - legally - is one thing.What a landlord SHOULD do - morally, ethically - may be another matter.What's legal isn't always either moral or ethical.What's ethical and/or moral is not necessarily legal.Food for thought...David J Dachtera

You really should do a bit more research before you question the moral character and business practices of someone you have never met. 

Trust me when I say this you need to be firm in your biz and stick by whatever rules you have made, I am the "good cop" in our biz and I usually have pity on some that tend to need housing but cannot afford the property, guess what when you let some rules slide you have made up with this forum from folks that have been there and done that, you will put yourself in a bad predicament more often than not.  

we get that all the time. they think that you "will like them so much" and would just lower it to get "good moral character" tenant in there.

I have morals and values and handle myself as such even in real estate.

@Andrew Morales“Completely understand the worry, we are all worried.

Contractor have the knowledge and tools/skills to steal@  Cost me $2,500.Moral of the Story-- If they are reputable, they will at least split the cost or pay for all of it as it was their error, or if they aren't--- consider this the cost of your lesson and find a trust worthy contractor.   

No morality of any type.  

It’s not really about the “morality”.

@Avvy Morales  Usually the water company will notice when water usage is constant and high for a period of time and contact the person on the bill.