If you are on assembly work, you need a reliable internet connection – not only to work, but also to stay in touch with family and friends after work. A stable WLAN is now one of the most sought-after features when looking for a fitter’s accommodation. And rightly so: If you don’t have a functioning Internet after a long day at work in the evening, you’re cut off from many things of modern everyday life – from video calls to streaming to digital communication with the employer. This overview explains how the internet is used in fitter apartments, what tenants can expect and what to look out for.
WLAN as standard – but not the same everywhere
The good news: In most professionally run fitter apartments, WLAN is now part of the standard equipment. The bad news: quality and speed vary significantly. While some providers provide fast fiber optic connections that work without any problems even with several simultaneous users, the connection is hardly enough for a smooth video call elsewhere.
This is not always due to the bad will of the landlord – sometimes the available infrastructure at the respective location is simply limited. In more rural regions or older buildings, the management capacity can be limited, which is particularly noticeable when several people are online at the same time.
Anyone who is dependent on a stable connection – for example because they have to write reports in the evening, transmit measurements or have video conferences – should specifically ask for the Internet speed before booking. A reputable landlord can provide information on this.
What does ‘WLAN included’ really mean?
The statement ‘WLAN included’ says little about what is actually offered. It is worth asking more details:
- What is the available download and upload speed?
- How many people share the connection?
- Is there a data limit or throttling after a certain volume?
- Is the router placed centrally in the building or in the respective room?
Especially in a fitter’s accommodation for working columns, in which four, six or more people live at the same time, the divided bandwidth is a relevant factor. What is sufficient for an individual can quickly reach its limits in a group.
Own mobile data as backup
If you want to be sure, you are well advised to also be able to fall back on your own mobile phone tariff. In Germany, the large network operators cover most inhabited areas well – even if there are still gaps in individual regions. A tariff with sufficient data volume is a sensible security in the event that the WLAN in the accommodation fails or is too slow.
Anyone who is regularly on assembly work in different regions – for example changing in fitter apartments in the Stuttgart area, in the Ostalbkreis or elsewhere in Baden-Württemberg – should make sure to use a tariff that offers nationwide stable coverage.
Legal aspects of internet use in rental properties
The fact that WLAN is available in an accommodation does not mean that it can be used without limits and without rules. There are some legal and practical aspects that tenants should know.
Disturbance liability and illegal downloads
In Germany, the so-called liability for disruptors applied for a long time: Anyone who operated an Internet connection could be held liable under certain circumstances for illegal activities that took place via this connection. Since the reform of the Telemedia Act in 2017, this liability for WLAN operators has been significantly restricted. Nevertheless, the following applies: Illegal downloads, the streaming of copyrighted content via unauthorized sources or other legally problematic activities are not permitted via the WLAN of a fitter’s apartment.
Anyone who engages in such activities via the landlord’s connection risks warnings – and thus possibly also consequences for the tenancy. Responsible handling of the Internet provided is therefore not only a question of etiquette, but also of one’s own protection.
Use for professional purposes
Many fitters also use the Internet in the accommodation professionally – for example to document working hours, to communicate with the office or to download plans and documents. This is usually unproblematic and tacitly accepted by the landlord. The situation is different if the professional data transfer is very high – for example by regularly uploading large files or using cloud services with extensive files.
Anyone who knows that they are professionally dependent on a wide range should discuss this with the landlord in advance. With a fitter’s apartment with WLAN, which is designed for such requirements, this is usually not a problem.
WLAN quality as a decision criterion when booking
For many fitters, the Internet connection is now a real decision-making criterion when choosing accommodation – similar to parking space, kitchen or washing machine. This is also reflected in the search queries: Fitter’s apartment with WLAN is a term that is regularly searched for because not every accommodation meets this standard.
If you want to book a fitter’s apartment directly and value a good internet connection, you should explicitly include this point in the booking request. A transparent landlord will answer honestly – and if you don’t do that, you’re already giving a reference to the communication culture in the current tenancy.
Good internet in a fitter’s accommodation is no longer a luxury today. It’s a legitimate basic need – for everyone who works far away from home and still wants to stay connected to the world. And it is a simple means for landlords to noticeably increase the satisfaction of their tenants.