Rates a first charge on property

(1) All rates payable under this Act shall be a charge on the property in respect of which they are due, and shall take 23 priority over any other charge or debt due by specialty or otherwise, Provided that such rates shall not be a charge on such property for a period of more than five years from the date on which they first became due and payable. (2) Any person who has any charge or debt by specialty or otherwise referred to in subsection (1) of this section may pay the rates to which the property subject to the charge or debt is liable, and he shall be entitled to add the moneys thus paid to the debt or other sum charged as aforesaid, and thereupon the increased charge or debt shall bear the same interest, and may be enforced and recovered in the same manner, as the original charge or debt. rates.