Internet Outage: Rent Reduction for Tenants in Germany

An absent or repeatedly disrupted internet connection can significantly impair a tenant's use of their home in Germany — especially for home office, school or medical needs. This article explains in clear language when a rent reduction due to an internet outage may be justified, which rights and deadlines matter, how to document outages and damages, and what procedure is common before court or when dealing with the landlord. I name the relevant laws, show a simple sample letter and describe practical steps so that as a tenant you can assert your claims in a verifiable way.

What an Internet Outage Means for Tenants

An internet outage affects the usability of the apartment when contractually agreed services (e.g., usable bandwidth or stability) are not met. It matters whether the outage only slightly reduces living quality or whether it is so severe that a right to rent reduction applies.

Legal Basis

German tenancy law in the BGB regulates the landlord's duty to provide the leased property in contractual condition and the tenant's rights in case of defects.^[1] Procedural rules for court cases are set out in the ZPO.^[2] For disputed legal interpretations, decisions by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) provide guidance.^[3] Local courts (Amtsgericht) are generally competent for tenancy disputes, including eviction suits.^[4]

When a Rent Reduction Is Possible for an Internet Outage

A rent reduction is possible if the outage impairs the contractual use of the apartment. Important criteria include:

• Scope and duration of the outage — recurring total failures or long-term reduced performance favor reduction.
• Cause of the outage — whether it is due to the landlord, building infrastructure or the provider affects the claim.
• Timing of the report — tenants who report immediately and give the landlord time to fix the issue strengthen their position.
• Amount of reduction — depends on the degree of impairment; courts often indicate percentages based on individual cases.

How to Document an Internet Outage Correctly

Record the time, duration and impact of the outage, measure bandwidth and save error messages. Note contact persons at the provider and save emails and chat logs.

• Send a formal defect notice to the landlord with date and specific description.
• Attach screenshots, speed test results and log data.
• Set a reasonable deadline for remedy (e.g., 14 days) and document the deadline.

Sample Text: Reporting the Outage and Announcing Rent Reduction

A short sample helps with wording. Adapt facts and dates:

• Dear Mr./Ms. [Name], I hereby notify you of a significant defect in the leased property: since [date] we have recurring internet outages with download rates of only [x] Mbps instead of the contractually agreed [y] Mbps. Please remedy the defect by [date]. If it persists, I reserve the right to an appropriate rent reduction.

Practical Steps: Step by Step

The key steps at a glance: report, document, set a deadline, reduce if necessary, and litigate if needed.

1. Document outage and measurements continuously and secure all evidence.
2. Send a written defect notice to the landlord and set a deadline.
3. Estimate or calculate an appropriate reduction percentage (for substantial impairment often 10–50%, case-dependent).
4. If no agreement is reached, consider filing a suit at the local court or seeking free advice from tenant or consumer services.

FAQ

Can I reduce the rent immediately?

You should first report the defect in writing and set a deadline; an immediate reduction without documentation weakens your position.

How much can I reduce the rent?

There is no fixed rule; courts base decisions on the degree of impairment. Typical values vary by case, often between about 10% and 50%.

Who is responsible: landlord or provider?

It depends on the case: if the cause is within the apartment or building wiring, the landlord often must remedy it; if the provider is at fault, the provider is responsible.

How-To

1. Measure bandwidth and save logs over several days.
2. Send a formal defect notice to the landlord with a remedy deadline.
3. If there is no reaction, announce the rent reduction in writing and apply the reduction.
4. Keep documenting and seek legal advice or file a claim at the local court if necessary.

Help & Support / Resources

• BGB texts and regulations
• Federal Court of Justice (BGH)
• Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO)
• Federal Office of Justice — Court information

1. [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) §§535–580a
2. [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO)
3. [3] Federal Court of Justice (BGH) — Decisions
4. [4] Federal Office of Justice — Court information