Proving Internet Outages for Tenants in Germany
As a tenant in Germany, recurring or prolonged internet outages can severely disrupt daily life, home office and communication. This article explains which types of evidence landlords or courts accept, how to document measurements, photos and correspondence, and which deadlines apply for rent reduction or legal action. The guide shows in plain language which forms are useful, how to send a formal defect notice to your landlord and when the local court is competent. The aim is that you as a tenant can use your rights clearly, without legal jargon, and react quickly with sample letters and concrete steps.
What counts as evidence?
For a credible record of an internet outage, several types of evidence are sensible; ideally combine technical data, communication records and timestamps.
- Photos and screenshots with date (e.g. router LEDs, error messages).
- Outage log with timestamps and durations.
- Speedtest logs and records of multiple tests at different times.
- Email exchanges and messages to the landlord or provider.
Detailed documentation increases chances of success.
How to collect evidence safely
- Keep an outage log: date, time, duration and impact on use.
- Save screenshots, speedtests and router logs as timestamped files.
- Send a formal defect notice to the landlord; attach evidence and set a deadline.[3]
- If no agreement is possible, consider court action at the local court; most tenancy disputes are heard there.[2]
Keep copies of all emails and measurement records.
Forms and sample letters
There is no single legally required form for reporting defects, but sample letters help name deadlines and content correctly. Useful templates include:
- Termination letters / templates for defect notices (examples for wording the defect report).[3]
- Defect notice to the landlord requesting remedy within a deadline.
Respond to landlord messages within deadlines to avoid losing rights.
Rights: rent reduction, deadlines and court
The statutory rules on landlord duties and rent reduction can be found in the BGB (§§ 535–580a).[1] Rent reduction is possible if the usability of the rented property is impaired; the reduction rate depends on the case. Many tenancy disputes are decided in the local court.[2] Court proceedings follow the rules of the Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO).[4]
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I prove that the internet connection failed?
- Keep an outage log with timestamps, save speedtests and screenshots, and document communication with the provider and landlord.
- Can I reduce rent because of an internet outage?
- Yes, if usability is significantly impaired; the legal basis is §§ 535–580a BGB.[1]
- When is the local court competent?
- For most tenancy disputes including rent reduction and eviction actions, the local court is competent; higher instances are the regional court and possibly the BGH.[2]
How-To
- Measure the connection and save speedtest results several times a day.
- Keep an outage log with exact timestamps and descriptions of the effects.
- Send the landlord a written defect notice with evidence and a reasonable deadline for remedy.[3]
- If the landlord does not respond, consider legal steps and contact the local court.[2]
Help and Support / Resources
- Find local courts – Justizportal
- Statutory law: BGB §535 ff.
- Federal Court of Justice (BGH) – Decisions
