Floralnomad's idea may also open up conversation if they are thinking of rehoming the dogs.
If the couple are working at home then would hope they are being let out regularly during the day which would make crating more reasonable. Do you know this isn't happening and dogs are left in all-day as are you working alongside owners or just popping in to provide a service in the home?
Its usually safer to separate in a crate as they can't get away if anything does happens to kicks off and for that reason you'd not leave food out as resources can cause fights. Most people feed meals 1-2 times a day rather than leave to graze so that isn't unusual. With both dogs thin it suggests underfeeding, unless are a breed that tends to look half starved to most people, like Saluki's.
Possibly why waggy dog seems subdued if not actually comfortable being so close to other dog, but could be lots of reasons really including owners behaviour.
I'd always leave access to water but there could be a reason why don't like one drinks it all in one go or just plays in it, fine if giving access regularly. My dog often doesn't drink from her bowls as gets water via her meals.
Some dogs are also weird with bedding preferring floor or possibly it because they shred other beds and it's then a blockage hazard. Are they kept clean?
Foreign rescues you do sometimes have to keep on lead outdoors as strays may escape and sometimes tethering to person indoors is used for toilet training, but it does sound possible it's to avoid the dogs running wild round the house.
So they could be neglected or there maybe reasonable explanations. It does sounds like they maybe struggling with managing the dogs and need some professional input. You could try just chatting about the dogs and see what further information they'll divulge about the situation, if are approachable people.