Document Internet Outages: Tenants in Germany

As a tenant in Germany, internet outages can heavily disrupt daily life, home office and contractual duties. In this guide you will learn in plain language which types of evidence help to timely prove an outage to your landlord or provider, when template letters are useful, and how to claim a rent reduction or damages. We explain important deadlines, which proofs (e.g. speed tests, logs, correspondence) you should collect and how to store documents securely. You do not need legal expertise; the steps are explained so you can act immediately and strengthen your rights in rental disputes before the local court in Germany. At the end you will find template letters, practical to‑dos and references to official forms and courts so you can act quickly if needed.

Why evidence matters

Clear documentation is the basis if you want to assert claims against landlord, internet provider or in court. Without data on downtime, speeds or prior contact it is difficult to enforce a rent reduction or damages claim. Legal foundations are in the BGB for defect rights and in the ZPO for court proceedings.^[1]

Which evidence to collect

• Photos of error messages or connection drops document visible faults.
• Speed test results with date and time (multiple tests on different days) show performance losses.
• Written notifications to provider or landlord by e-mail or registered mail prove you informed them.
• Connection logs, router reports or ISP error messages as technical proof.
• A timeline (date, time, duration) of outages helps determine the extent of the defect.

Template letters and wording

Use a short formal template letter to report the defect and set a deadline for repair. Name specific proofs (e.g. speed tests from date X), request repair within a reasonable deadline and state you will consider rent reduction or damages if the outage continues.

Sample wording (short)

Dear [Name], I hereby report an ongoing internet outage in my apartment since [date]. As proof I attach speed tests and screenshots. Please remedy the defect by [deadline]. Otherwise I reserve the right to claim rent reduction and damages.

If the landlord does not respond

If the landlord does not respond within the set deadline, you can consider the following steps: claim rent reduction, have the defect remedied and deduct costs (only after legal advice) or file a lawsuit at the competent local court.^[2]

Evidence for court proceedings

For the local court your documents should be clearly structured: chronological outage list, all correspondence, technical proofs and a short summary of financial consequences (e.g. lost working days, verifiable costs).

FAQ

Can I reduce the rent because of internet outages?

Yes, if the outage impairs the usability of the rental property and the landlord does not remedy it within a reasonable deadline, you can reduce the rent proportionally.

How long must I give the landlord to fix it?

Commonly a period of 10–14 days is reasonable; for severe outages a shorter deadline may be appropriate.

What deadlines apply in court?

Proceedings before the local court follow the rules of the ZPO; respond promptly to court service and instructions.

Who should I contact for technical problems with the provider?

First contact the provider, then inform the landlord; document all contacts with time and the person spoken to.

How-To

1. Document every outage immediately with date, time and screenshots or speed tests.
2. Send a defect notice to landlord and provider and set a clear repair deadline.
3. Wait for the deadline and collect further measurements if the problem persists.
4. Contact technical hotlines in writing and keep conversation notes.
5. If no solution is found, consider rent reduction or initiating proceedings at the local court.

Help & Support / Resources

• BMJ - Forms and information on court procedures
• Gesetze im Internet – BGB §§ 535–580a
• Information on local courts and procedures

1. [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) §§ 535–580a — gesetze-im-internet.de
2. [2] Zuständigkeit der Amtsgerichte — justiz.de
3. [3] Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz — bmjv.de