So the city's utility lien was recorded against the former renter whose last known address is shown on the lien?  That address coincides with the property that you rented to your tenant, but the document does not name you.  The nature of Official Records in 50 states plus many territories, is Grantor-Grantee and constitutes notice of claims against property owners.  Notice against you, the property owner, has not been perfected as you are not named.  Yet, the city would love to have someone like you pay for a third party obligation.  The land owner has a right under the Uniform Commercial Code to demand presentment of the original contract creating the obligation against him and his property.  His failure to act with due diligence in demanding this right, cannot create a obligation against you as a researcher, as he cannot prove that you failed to act within the reasonable practices of our industry.  Extraordinary steps to check with every government agency would be prohibitive in cost, and could create new off-record encumbrances against you involving disclosure duties.  You don't offer it, didn't offer it, didn't do it and have no duty in this regard.