According to The Independent - Main, the Wagners claimed that incessant banging from the refurbishment caused ceilings to crack and extraordinary dust levels prevented them from hanging laundry indoors. After work completed, leaks from a sprinkler and a defective shower tray caused significant damage, including a ceiling collapse. Judge Hellman ordered Sara to pay £91,000 upfront towards the neighbours' estimated £150,000 legal fees.
The judge found that Sara was not liable for the leaks but was responsible for the work taking so long and causing annoyance, inconvenience, discomfort, and anxiety. The dispute involved a Grade-II listed building in Lennox Gardens, Knightsbridge. Sara bought the apartment in 2014, stripped it to a shell, paused work, resumed in March 2018, and completed in April 2019. The exact cause of the ceiling collapse has not been confirmed, and it remains unclear whether Sara will appeal.