Internet Outage 2025: Tenant Rights in Germany

An internet outage can quickly become a serious issue for tenants in Germany, for example when working from home, remote schooling or medical devices are affected. This guide explains in clear, practical terms how to document outages for court, which evidence matters and when a rent reduction may be appropriate. We show how to correctly notify your provider and landlord, observe deadlines and which courts are responsible. The tips help you limit damage and protect your rights as a tenant without complex legal jargon.

What to do in an internet outage?

Act promptly: perform basic checks (router, sockets, restart) and record the time and duration of the outage. First inform your internet provider in writing and, if living comfort is affected at the same time, also the landlord. Documentation is central because later rent reductions or court actions depend on clear proof.

Important immediate steps

• Record start and end times of each interruption and any error messages.
• Send a written fault report to the provider by email or contact form.
• Inform the landlord by letter or email if the outage affects the living purpose.
• Save chat logs, support tickets and invoice excerpts as evidence.

Collecting evidence

Useful evidence includes: screenshots of error messages, router log files, emails with support responses, photos of unattended devices and date/time logs. If possible, have a technician visit documented. These records are crucial if claims against the landlord or provider arise later.

• Screenshots and error messages with timestamps.
• Emails, support tickets and chat transcripts.
• Technician reports or written confirmations of visits.
• Notes of all calls with date, time and contact person.

Contact and deadlines

Report the outage immediately to the provider and set a reasonable deadline for repair. If the provider does not respond or the problem persists, notify the landlord in writing and set a deadline to restore agreed use. Legal bases for the tenancy and landlord obligations can be found in the BGB^[1]. Court actions follow the rules of the Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO)^[2].

Rent reduction & legal steps

Whether a rent reduction is possible depends on the extent of the impairment. If important functions fail (e.g. home office, safety devices), a partial rent reduction may be justified. The scope, duration and proof of impairment are decisive. Courts of first instance are the Amtsgerichte; higher instances include Landgerichte and the BGH for precedent^[3].

• Consider a proportional rent reduction only with solid evidence.
• The local Amtsgericht handles most tenancy disputes at first instance.
• Send letters and deadlines by registered mail or email with read receipt.

Forms and templates

There is no nationwide mandatory form for rent reduction; often a simple, documented statement to landlord and provider is sufficient. The Federal Ministry of Justice provides templates and guidance for terminations and correspondence^[4]. Use templates as a basis and adapt dates, periods and evidence details.

• Termination letter (BMJ template) for timely communication with landlord or provider.
• Informal outage notification to the provider listing documented outages.

FAQ

When can I reduce my rent as a tenant?

A rent reduction is possible if the usability of the apartment is significantly impaired and you can prove it. Duration and extent are decisive.

Do I have to inform the landlord immediately?

Yes. Inform landlord and provider in writing, document deadlines and responses to prepare legal action.

Which court should I contact in case of dispute?

The competent Amtsgericht at the place of residence is responsible in the first instance; issues can be escalated to the Landgericht or BGH.

How-To

1. Immediately note date and time of the outage and visible error messages.
2. Report the outage in writing to the provider and request repair within a clear deadline.
3. Notify the landlord in writing and attach your evidence.
4. If possible, have a technician visit documented and add the report to your records.
5. After resolution, assess whether a proportional rent reduction is appropriate and document your calculation.
6. If necessary, prepare a claim for the Amtsgericht and follow ZPO procedures.

Help and Support

• Federal Ministry of Justice – guidance and templates
• Gesetze im Internet – BGB, ZPO and other laws
• Federal Court of Justice – tenancy law decisions

1. [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) – gesetze-im-internet.de
2. [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) – gesetze-im-internet.de
3. [3] Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) – bundesgerichtshof.de
4. [4] Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ) – bmj.de