Whenever any parcel of real estate shall have been assessed by the proper body for the construction of any public improvement, and such assessment has not been paid and cannot be lawfully made a lien on the real estate, the amount of such assessment shall constitute a personal obligation against the owner of such real estate, and may be recovered in a suit in assumpsit against said owner, before any court of competent jurisdiction, maintained by the officer in whose hands the assessment roll shall have been placed for collection.

     In case any such assessment set forth in section 1 hereof shall be payable in installments, each installment shall constitute a personal obligation of the owner of such parcel of land at the time such assessment roll shall be delivered to such collecting officer.