For many people there is a degree of stigma attached to buying ex-local authority properties.

Nightmare images of run-down estates undoubtedly put buyers off. However, this stereotype is very often unjustified and dismissing ex-council properties could mean that you miss out on a bargain.

With many local authority developments, a lot of thought has gone into creating the living space. This means that flats in particular are often more spacious and well planned-out than older converted properties. Some, like the Barbican development in central London, have become design classics, although these tend to carry a high price tag.

Of course, some council estates fail to attract private buyers but for developments with a good location, the level of owner-occupiers can be very high and mortgage lenders do tend to prefer developments with high levels of private ownership.

Buying an ex-local authority property as a first-time investment can mean that you get features that would be completely unaffordable in traditional properties. Off-street parking, communal gardens and central locations are all commonly found in local authority developments, but in privately owned properties, these features would almost certainly carry a premium price.

As with any property purchase, it is important to research the property and its location before you buy. Getting it right could save you thousands of pounds, but getting it wrong could leave you stuck with a property that you will find hard to sell on.

One consideration should be the height of the building. Many lenders are reluctant to grant mortgages on high-rise properties, so anything in a building with more than five floors probably won't be worth pursuing. If possible choose a brick-built property and get a full structural survey done before you proceed.

One of the biggest issues with buying ex-local authority properties concerns the inevitable service and maintenance charges. As the council is likely to be the freeholder, service charges will probably be charged to cover things like cleaning communal areas and upkeep of gardens.

These charges can vary so it is worth finding exactly what these charges cover.

Unfortunately, service charges are unlikely to cover maintenance charges and with councils now required by the Government to update all their properties, these charges could add up to a big financial commitment. So, before you commit yourself to the purchase, find out if there are any renovation works planned as you wouldn't want to be hit with a bill for re-roofing or new lifts just after you've moved in.

Although the idea of ex-local authority properties are not attractive to every buyer, they can often be one of the few ways for first-time buyers to get that all-important first step onto the property ladder.