It could be done at any time fairly easily and I wouldn't be surprised if they still do it.As others suggested, prepare an updated account summary.

This is why ibuyers are able to pay 20% less than market value for homes while making it look like they’re paying at or possibly above market value - data confusion and “convenience”. 

YUP only the water company takes meters I don't think crooks find any value in them .. but I could be wrong in the tough areas of the US you would be surprised what crooks take.. its more common though for tenants to cut the main line to the meter put a hose on it and then connect to the line coming into the house. that works for a month or two before the water company figures out their water is being jacked. 

That's still over 6 months in mortgage payments and larger than most surprise repairs.

First off, the question is slightly more complicated than what you've laid out, but still surprisingly simple.Your state law, local custom (i.e. what your judge says), and your lease all play into this. 

I was a bit surprised.

It's tricky and I'm surprised I'm not hearing more threads about this. 

I'm surprised she offered to let you keep $1,000.  

To say I was surprised about the year-over-year sales volume beat is an understatement.

If someone told me the building department was manned by callous cyborgs pretending to be human I would not be surprised.