Homeowners in a block of flats say building work carried out below them by a coffee shop has left their properties structurally damaged and effectively unsellable. Residents report cracked walls and sinking floors, which they attribute directly to construction or renovation work undertaken on the commercial unit beneath their homes, raising concerns about accountability for the damage and who should pay for repairs.

The affected leaseholders say the structural problems have severely undermined the value of their flats, with some describing them as now worthless on the open market. The dispute highlights the risks upper-floor residents can face when building work takes place in commercial premises below them, and raises questions about oversight, building control checks and potential liability for the coffee shop operator or contractors involved.