Private improvement expenses to be a first charge

Subject to section 180 of this Act, private improvement expenses, whether repayable immediately or by instalments, shall, with the interest thereon and the mortgagee’s costs, be a first charge on the improved property and have priority to all other encumbrances (not being land tax or any encumbrance in favour of the State) and the State shall have the like charges, powers, rights and remedies as if the payment of such expenses, interest and costs had been secured on the improved property by a deed of mortgage.