Water heater is about 5 years old.

On 2/20/25 our tenant said that the HVAC heating was not working.

Change the annode in the water heater 

We have simple water meters that automatically log to a cloud database and generate a water bill directly to the tenant.

Unless you have evidence the tenant caused the crack, you are out of luck.It sounds like there should be a bead of caulk between the sink and the wall to prevent water from seeping down.It also sounds like you should inspect at least once a year so problems like this don't go undiscovered for so long.

Was the water leak from the supply or sewer line?

The city of chicago does not come out every time to read the meter for the water bill so they produce an estimate.

Make sure you add on your lease that tenant is responsible for lawn maintenance (cutting and watering) Summer heat in Houston is brutal and your new grass ( and investment) will be dead by fall.

This sounds more like a water issue, like a constantly running toilet.2.

Water meter-water company.