When an assessment for public improvements is levied against a tract of land owned by tenants in common, the governing body of any municipality may, upon petition of an owner or owners of said tract of land, split or divide the original assessment against the same and may apportion the cost of the improvements among the several portions or divisions of said tract of land and shall, upon the payment of the amount so charged or assessed against any separate portion or division, discharge said portion or division from the lien for improvements against the same.