Tenant Rights for Internet Outages in Germany 2025

As a tenant in Germany, internet outages can severely disrupt daily life, for example when working from home, studying, or communicating with authorities. This article explains in plain language which types of evidence matter for rent reduction or compensation, how to organize documentation and communication with the provider and landlord, and which court steps are possible. We cite relevant statutes, show practical wording for defect notices and give examples of how a speed test, router logs and written requests help. The guidance is aimed at 2025 and takes case law and formal deadlines into account so tenants can enforce their rights more securely.

What counts as evidence?

For a credible demonstration of an outage, time-stamped proofs are decisive: speed test logs with date and time, router logs, official outage notices from the provider and your written communication with provider and landlord. Additionally, photos of error messages, calendar entries and neighbor testimonies help. When asserting defects, refer to the legal basis for rent reduction (§ 536 BGB) and document deadlines for remediation.^[1]

• Speed test results with timestamps and location details.
• Router log files or provider records.
• Written outage reports to the provider and their responses.
• Written defect notice to the landlord with deadline.
• Receipts for alternative internet solutions or incurred expenses.

Forms and templates

For court actions and formal applications there are official forms on the federal forms portal. Examples:

• Claim form (civil suit) – use the template when you seek payment or compensation in court; example: you claim reimbursement for paid hardware after prolonged outage and file the suit at the local court.
• Order for payment / dunning procedure – useful to assert outstanding claims against the provider or landlord before filing a lawsuit.

Practical template for a defect notice: describe the outage briefly, attach timestamps, request remediation within a reasonable period (e.g. 14 days) and keep a copy.

What to do before reducing rent

Step by step: First inform the provider and the landlord in writing, document the outage and set a reasonable deadline for remedy. Unilateral full non-payment of rent without legal advice is risky. Seek legal advice, collect all evidence and then assess the appropriate rent reduction amount. If uncertain, the local court (Amtsgericht) may be the first instance; procedural rules are governed by the Code of Civil Procedure.^[2][3]

FAQ

When can I reduce rent because of an internet outage?

If the use of the flat is so impaired by the internet outage that the agreed usability is lacking, a proportional rent reduction may be possible. The extent and duration of the outage and the documentation are decisive.

Which evidence improves my chances?

Time-stamped speed tests, router logs, written outage reports to provider and landlord and proof of extra costs (e.g. mobile data) are particularly helpful.

Do I have to contact the provider first?

Yes. The provider is usually primarily responsible for fixing the outage. Document contact attempts as this strengthens your position toward the landlord.

How-To

1. Send a formal defect notice to the landlord describing the outage and setting a deadline for remediation.
2. Collect evidence: speed tests, logs, screenshots and email correspondence.
3. Set a clear deadline (e.g. 14 days) for remedy and document the deadline.
4. If no agreement is possible, prepare documents for the local court or use dunning procedures/forms from the forms portal.
5. Consult legal advice to assess the amount of rent reduction or compensation.

Help and Support / Resources

• Gesetze im Internet – BGB (Tenancy law)
• Gesetze im Internet – ZPO (Procedure)
• Formulare-Bund – Templates for claims and dunning

1. [1] Gesetze im Internet — BGB
2. [2] Gesetze im Internet — ZPO
3. [3] Federal Court of Justice (BGH)