This is very bad for landlords as they will no be left with no security deposit at the end of lease term with which to cover any repairs to home caused by tenant or any outstanding rent/utilities. 

Is there anyway I can check to see if the leins are still outstanding or have been paid back?

You should ask the water company to deduct out of the bill the sewer charge because they never made it to the drains for treatment, that should be on top of whatever consideration they gave you for the water leak.You may also be able to work something out with the water company so the outstanding balance can be paid over a period of time.It may be necessary for your tenant to call since the name on the account is not you. 

Add the value add, cash flow from rent appreciation, the property appreciation, and the equity paydown and coastal So Cal buy n hold has historically produced outstanding return for the buy n hold RE investors (especially the ones doing value adds).I suspect in Fresno it may be slightly easier (but still a challenge) to find a property with positive cash flow but it likely will not initially be great for the amount invested (it is likely to be poor for the amount invested). 

Finally, it's our job to give outstanding customer service and to make this a successful business relationship.  

Request any outstanding liens, fines,   bills or ongoing litigation on the property.  

Show the $50 late fee on the statement and a $X payment,  The next month he pays $X and is short the $50 late fee, apply the payment first to the outstanding late fee, then to the rent.  

I would meet the tenant in person and let them know the amount is outstanding and ask them how they would like to handle it.

So just a couple years ago it was definitely possible to purchase outstanding investments in San Diego.  

For example let's say the market value of the property is 300k but the outstanding debt is 400k.