What is the primary purpose of filing a statement of expense regarding property compliance?

The primary purpose of filing a statement of expense regarding property compliance is to impose a lien. When a property owner fails to comply with code enforcement regulations, the local government or agency typically incurs costs to address the violation. By filing a statement of expense, the entity can formally document these incurred costs, which serves as a legal basis to place a lien against the property. This lien acts as a claim against the property, ensuring that the government can recover the costs associated with bringing the property into compliance, often making it a priority for property owners to resolve the issue in order to clear the lien.

Other options, while relevant in different contexts, do not directly relate to the specific function of filing a statement of expense. Initiating a public hearing pertains to deliberative processes rather than compliance cost documentation. Reporting annual statistics is focused on overall data collection rather than a specific property issue, and requesting additional funding relates to financial processes and needs rather than directly enforcing compliance with property regulations.