Tenant Rights for Internet Outages in Germany

What to do in an internet outage?

As a tenant you should document connection failures immediately and inform the landlord. State date, time, duration and concrete impacts (e.g. loss of home office) and request a prompt remedy. The legal basis are obligations to grant use and remedy defects under tenancy law; review possibilities for rent reduction and setting deadlines.^[1]

• deadline: Set a clear deadline (e.g. 14 days) in the defect notice.
• document: Make photos, screenshots and a log of outages as evidence.
• form: Send a written defect notice by registered mail or email with read receipt.
• call: Contact the internet provider in parallel and note ticket numbers.

Rights, rent reduction and deadlines

If internet access is part of the contractually agreed use, a significant outage can reduce usability. In many cases this justifies a proportional rent reduction; check reasonableness and document the outage thoroughly. For enforcement in court you must meet deadlines and possibly file suit at the local court.^[1] The Code of Civil Procedure is relevant for procedural questions.^[2]

Forms and templates

There are official forms for payment order proceedings and for filing a suit with the courts; use the payment order procedure if your claim concerns compensation or damages. State the defect, prior contact attempts and your set deadline in the letter.

• form: Application for a payment order (for outstanding claims against provider or landlord).
• form: Civil complaint form (when asserting claims in court at the local court).

Practical steps before court

Before suing, collect all evidence: correspondence, invoices, outage reports and timestamped logs. First send a defect notice, set a reasonable deadline for remediation and, if necessary, prepare documents for the local court; the local court handles many tenancy disputes.^[5]

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I reduce rent because of an internet outage?

You can reduce the rent if the outage substantially impairs the usability of the apartment and the landlord does not fix it within a reasonable period.

Do I have to inform the landlord first?

Yes, inform the landlord in writing and set a deadline for remedy; without prior defect notice your rights may be limited.

Who do I contact if I receive no help?

Collect evidence and contact the local court or use the payment order procedure if it concerns monetary claims.

How-To

1. deadline: Immediately: Document outage time, duration and effects (date, time, screenshots).
2. form: Day 1–2: Send a defect notice to landlord and provider, set a concrete deadline (e.g. 14 days).
3. call: In parallel: Report the outage to the provider and note ticket numbers.
4. document: After deadline: Prepare files (correspondence, logs, invoices) and consider rent reduction or payment order.
5. court: If necessary: File a suit at the local court with all evidence.

Help and Support / Resources

• [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) - Gesetze im Internet
• [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) - Gesetze im Internet
• [3] Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) - Decisions and guidance

1. [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) - Gesetze im Internet
2. [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) - Gesetze im Internet
3. [3] Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) - Decisions
4. [4] Justizportal of the Federal and State Courts - Forms and information
5. [5] Federal Ministry of Justice - Information on local courts