Moss & Coleman Solicitors
Shared Ownership and Help to Buy
Trusted Hornchurch solicitors since 1951
Serving Essex & London with expert legal advice across family, property, private client, and employment law.
Shared Ownership and Help to Buy Hornchurch
Schemes such as Shared Ownership and Help to Buy have opened the door to home ownership for many people, especially first-time buyers. While they can be a great way to get onto the property ladder, they involve additional legal steps and requirements compared to a standard purchase.
Our conveyancing team regularly acts for buyers using these schemes and is familiar with the eligibility checks, additional mortgage conditions, and detailed documentation that must be completed. We will explain the obligations that come with part-owning a property, such as staircasing provisions (where you buy further shares later on), restrictions on resale, and compliance with housing association requirements.
We understand that buying your first home can feel daunting, so we take time to explain everything in plain English. Our goal is not only to ensure that the transaction proceeds smoothly, but also that you feel confident in your understanding of the scheme and secure in your long-term position.
Make an Enquiry
Whether you’re a new client, have a general enquiry, or need to speak with a specific solicitor, please get in touch.
Meet The Team
Gary Forbes
Director
Get to know Gary Forbes
Gary is an experienced solicitor who has invaluable knowledge of the local area, having worked in and around Hornchurch since 1986. He joined Moss & Coleman in 2007 before becoming a Director in April of 2015, and is Head of Residential Property. Gary also specialises in all areas of commercial property law and property disputes, including trusts of land matters. He also has extensive experience in private client law.
Outside of work Gary enjoys a day at the races and is an avid supporter of Arsenal Football Club.
Georgia Mahoney
Solicitor
Get to know Georgia Mahoney
Georgia joined Moss & Coleman in January 2020 on work placement after completing her Law Degree, gaining experience in conveyancing, drafting Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and assisting the Litigation department in various matters.
Georgia completed her LPC and Masters degree in December 2021 and her training contract in February 2022, qualifying as a Solicitor and is now a member of our Conveyancing department.
Georgia has experience in freehold/leasehold property sales and purchases as well as shared ownership and new build procurements. Georgia also deals with remortgages, equity release transactions and staircasing properties.
In her spare time, Georgia enjoys spending time with her family and keeping fit.
Dawn Clements
Conveyancer
Get to know Dawn Clements
Dawn joined Moss and Coleman in 2003 as an experienced Legal Secretary in the Conveyancing Department; working her way up to a Conveyancer.
Dawn is incredibly organised - her ‘to do lists’ being second to none! - diligent and always on hand to assist; whether it be your first move, your move to your ‘forever home’ or whether you are adding to a commercial property portfolio, Dawn will ensure the smooth running of your transaction.
Outside of Moss and Coleman, Dawn for many years spent her free time supporting her daughter’s passion for dance, attending practice sessions and dance competitions all over the UK. Dawn’s time is now taken up with her two lovely dogs – Molly and Teddie.
Charlotte Jeffery
Get to know Charlotte Jeffery
Charlotte joined the firm in October 2019 as a Receptionist and later began studying for her LLB Law Degree with The Open University. In 2022, she transitioned into the Residential Conveyancing department as a Legal Secretary, supporting Fee Earners and gaining practical experience in property sales, purchases, and transfers of equity.
In April 2025, Charlotte advanced to the role of Paralegal, continuing to build on her legal knowledge and hands-on experience in conveyancing matters. She is set to begin the Legal Practice Course, her Master of Laws, and a two-year Training Contract in 2026, marking the final stages of her journey to qualifying as a Solicitor.
On a personal note, Charlotte enjoys spending time with friends, caring for her Ragdoll cat, and lots of online shopping!
Get to know Carla Sherwin
Carla qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2015, having studied on a part time basis whilst gaining practical work experience in a Solicitors office. She has over 20 years’ experience in conveyancing having started as a legal secretary and working her way up to dealing with her own case load of freehold and leasehold sales/purchases, lease extensions, transfers of equity and remortgages. In 2018 Carla branched into Equity Release where she now specialises in providing legal advice to borrowers on the terms of their lifetime mortgages.
Outside of work Carla enjoys reading, meeting up with friends and spending quality time with her family.
Fiona Miller
Get to know Fiona Miller
Fiona joined Moss & Coleman in August 2023 to work within the Equity Release
Department. She has 6 years’ experience in the Lifetime Mortgage sector and is currently working towards her CLC Level 6 qualification.
Outside of work Fiona enjoys spending time with her family.
Michelle Baker
Equity Release Manager
Get to know Michelle Baker
Michelle is our Equity Release Manager at Moss & Coleman.
She has over 20 years’ experience in the Lifetime Mortgage sector with a huge reputation for giving a first-class legal service. She also has extensive knowledge in handling non-standard technical issues relating to Lifetime mortgage applications which make her stand out within the industry.
Outside of work Michelle enjoys cycling and spending quality time with her grandchildren.
Gary Marsh
Solicitor
Get to know Gary Marsh
Gary joined Moss and Coleman in 2025 having qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and working in the Havering area throughout his career.
Gary works within the Residential Property department and assists clients with sales and purchases, remortgaging and transfers of equity.
Outside of work, Gary enjoys walking, following sports and watching films.
Legal Secretary