diff --git a/synapse/federation/federation_client.py b/synapse/federation/federation_client.py
index a0071fec94..a7c5a21315 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/federation_client.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/federation_client.py
@@ -957,14 +957,13 @@ class FederationClient(FederationBase):
 
         return signed_events
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def forward_third_party_invite(self, destinations, room_id, event_dict):
+    async def forward_third_party_invite(self, destinations, room_id, event_dict):
         for destination in destinations:
             if destination == self.server_name:
                 continue
 
             try:
-                yield self.transport_layer.exchange_third_party_invite(
+                await self.transport_layer.exchange_third_party_invite(
                     destination=destination, room_id=room_id, event_dict=event_dict
                 )
                 return None
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/_base.py b/synapse/handlers/_base.py
index 51413d910e..3b781d9836 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/_base.py
@@ -126,30 +126,28 @@ class BaseHandler(object):
                 retry_after_ms=int(1000 * (time_allowed - time_now))
             )
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def maybe_kick_guest_users(self, event, context=None):
+    async def maybe_kick_guest_users(self, event, context=None):
         # Technically this function invalidates current_state by changing it.
         # Hopefully this isn't that important to the caller.
         if event.type == EventTypes.GuestAccess:
             guest_access = event.content.get("guest_access", "forbidden")
             if guest_access != "can_join":
                 if context:
-                    current_state_ids = yield context.get_current_state_ids()
-                    current_state = yield self.store.get_events(
+                    current_state_ids = await context.get_current_state_ids()
+                    current_state = await self.store.get_events(
                         list(current_state_ids.values())
                     )
                 else:
-                    current_state = yield self.state_handler.get_current_state(
+                    current_state = await self.state_handler.get_current_state(
                         event.room_id
                     )
 
                 current_state = list(current_state.values())
 
                 logger.info("maybe_kick_guest_users %r", current_state)
-                yield self.kick_guest_users(current_state)
+                await self.kick_guest_users(current_state)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def kick_guest_users(self, current_state):
+    async def kick_guest_users(self, current_state):
         for member_event in current_state:
             try:
                 if member_event.type != EventTypes.Member:
@@ -180,7 +178,7 @@ class BaseHandler(object):
                 # homeserver.
                 requester = synapse.types.create_requester(target_user, is_guest=True)
                 handler = self.hs.get_room_member_handler()
-                yield handler.update_membership(
+                await handler.update_membership(
                     requester,
                     target_user,
                     member_event.room_id,
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/directory.py b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
index 2de43a6e75..c73dbc0adb 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/directory.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
@@ -295,15 +295,14 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
                 Codes.NOT_FOUND,
             )
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _update_canonical_alias(
+    async def _update_canonical_alias(
         self, requester: Requester, user_id: str, room_id: str, room_alias: RoomAlias
     ):
         """
         Send an updated canonical alias event if the removed alias was set as
         the canonical alias or listed in the alt_aliases field.
         """
-        alias_event = yield self.state.get_current_state(
+        alias_event = await self.state.get_current_state(
             room_id, EventTypes.CanonicalAlias, ""
         )
 
@@ -334,7 +333,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
                 del content["alt_aliases"]
 
         if send_update:
-            yield self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
+            await self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
                 requester,
                 {
                     "type": EventTypes.CanonicalAlias,
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/federation.py b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
index c7aa7acf3b..96cbaeb45f 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/federation.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
@@ -2563,9 +2563,8 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             "missing": [e.event_id for e in missing_locals],
         }
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
-    def exchange_third_party_invite(
+    async def exchange_third_party_invite(
         self, sender_user_id, target_user_id, room_id, signed
     ):
         third_party_invite = {"signed": signed}
@@ -2581,16 +2580,16 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             "state_key": target_user_id,
         }
 
-        if (yield self.auth.check_host_in_room(room_id, self.hs.hostname)):
-            room_version = yield self.store.get_room_version_id(room_id)
+        if await self.auth.check_host_in_room(room_id, self.hs.hostname):
+            room_version = await self.store.get_room_version_id(room_id)
             builder = self.event_builder_factory.new(room_version, event_dict)
 
             EventValidator().validate_builder(builder)
-            event, context = yield self.event_creation_handler.create_new_client_event(
+            event, context = await self.event_creation_handler.create_new_client_event(
                 builder=builder
             )
 
-            event_allowed = yield self.third_party_event_rules.check_event_allowed(
+            event_allowed = await self.third_party_event_rules.check_event_allowed(
                 event, context
             )
             if not event_allowed:
@@ -2602,7 +2601,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     403, "This event is not allowed in this context", Codes.FORBIDDEN
                 )
 
-            event, context = yield self.add_display_name_to_third_party_invite(
+            event, context = await self.add_display_name_to_third_party_invite(
                 room_version, event_dict, event, context
             )
 
@@ -2613,19 +2612,19 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             event.internal_metadata.send_on_behalf_of = self.hs.hostname
 
             try:
-                yield self.auth.check_from_context(room_version, event, context)
+                await self.auth.check_from_context(room_version, event, context)
             except AuthError as e:
                 logger.warning("Denying new third party invite %r because %s", event, e)
                 raise e
 
-            yield self._check_signature(event, context)
+            await self._check_signature(event, context)
 
             # We retrieve the room member handler here as to not cause a cyclic dependency
             member_handler = self.hs.get_room_member_handler()
-            yield member_handler.send_membership_event(None, event, context)
+            await member_handler.send_membership_event(None, event, context)
         else:
             destinations = {x.split(":", 1)[-1] for x in (sender_user_id, room_id)}
-            yield self.federation_client.forward_third_party_invite(
+            await self.federation_client.forward_third_party_invite(
                 destinations, room_id, event_dict
             )
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
index 522271eed1..5a2557d934 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -626,8 +626,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
         msg = self._block_events_without_consent_error % {"consent_uri": consent_uri}
         raise ConsentNotGivenError(msg=msg, consent_uri=consent_uri)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def send_nonmember_event(self, requester, event, context, ratelimit=True):
+    async def send_nonmember_event(self, requester, event, context, ratelimit=True):
         """
         Persists and notifies local clients and federation of an event.
 
@@ -647,7 +646,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
         assert self.hs.is_mine(user), "User must be our own: %s" % (user,)
 
         if event.is_state():
-            prev_state = yield self.deduplicate_state_event(event, context)
+            prev_state = await self.deduplicate_state_event(event, context)
             if prev_state is not None:
                 logger.info(
                     "Not bothering to persist state event %s duplicated by %s",
@@ -656,7 +655,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                 )
                 return prev_state
 
-        yield self.handle_new_client_event(
+        await self.handle_new_client_event(
             requester=requester, event=event, context=context, ratelimit=ratelimit
         )
 
@@ -683,8 +682,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                 return prev_event
         return
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def create_and_send_nonmember_event(
+    async def create_and_send_nonmember_event(
         self, requester, event_dict, ratelimit=True, txn_id=None
     ):
         """
@@ -698,8 +696,8 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
         # a situation where event persistence can't keep up, causing
         # extremities to pile up, which in turn leads to state resolution
         # taking longer.
-        with (yield self.limiter.queue(event_dict["room_id"])):
-            event, context = yield self.create_event(
+        with (await self.limiter.queue(event_dict["room_id"])):
+            event, context = await self.create_event(
                 requester, event_dict, token_id=requester.access_token_id, txn_id=txn_id
             )
 
@@ -709,7 +707,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                     spam_error = "Spam is not permitted here"
                 raise SynapseError(403, spam_error, Codes.FORBIDDEN)
 
-            yield self.send_nonmember_event(
+            await self.send_nonmember_event(
                 requester, event, context, ratelimit=ratelimit
             )
         return event
@@ -770,8 +768,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
         return (event, context)
 
     @measure_func("handle_new_client_event")
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def handle_new_client_event(
+    async def handle_new_client_event(
         self, requester, event, context, ratelimit=True, extra_users=[]
     ):
         """Processes a new event. This includes checking auth, persisting it,
@@ -794,9 +791,9 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
         ):
             room_version = event.content.get("room_version", RoomVersions.V1.identifier)
         else:
-            room_version = yield self.store.get_room_version_id(event.room_id)
+            room_version = await self.store.get_room_version_id(event.room_id)
 
-        event_allowed = yield self.third_party_event_rules.check_event_allowed(
+        event_allowed = await self.third_party_event_rules.check_event_allowed(
             event, context
         )
         if not event_allowed:
@@ -805,7 +802,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             )
 
         try:
-            yield self.auth.check_from_context(room_version, event, context)
+            await self.auth.check_from_context(room_version, event, context)
         except AuthError as err:
             logger.warning("Denying new event %r because %s", event, err)
             raise err
@@ -818,7 +815,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             logger.exception("Failed to encode content: %r", event.content)
             raise
 
-        yield self.action_generator.handle_push_actions_for_event(event, context)
+        await self.action_generator.handle_push_actions_for_event(event, context)
 
         # reraise does not allow inlineCallbacks to preserve the stacktrace, so we
         # hack around with a try/finally instead.
@@ -826,7 +823,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
         try:
             # If we're a worker we need to hit out to the master.
             if self.config.worker_app:
-                yield self.send_event_to_master(
+                await self.send_event_to_master(
                     event_id=event.event_id,
                     store=self.store,
                     requester=requester,
@@ -838,7 +835,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                 success = True
                 return
 
-            yield self.persist_and_notify_client_event(
+            await self.persist_and_notify_client_event(
                 requester, event, context, ratelimit=ratelimit, extra_users=extra_users
             )
 
@@ -883,8 +880,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                 Codes.BAD_ALIAS,
             )
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def persist_and_notify_client_event(
+    async def persist_and_notify_client_event(
         self, requester, event, context, ratelimit=True, extra_users=[]
     ):
         """Called when we have fully built the event, have already
@@ -901,7 +897,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             # user is actually admin or not).
             is_admin_redaction = False
             if event.type == EventTypes.Redaction:
-                original_event = yield self.store.get_event(
+                original_event = await self.store.get_event(
                     event.redacts,
                     redact_behaviour=EventRedactBehaviour.AS_IS,
                     get_prev_content=False,
@@ -913,11 +909,11 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                     original_event and event.sender != original_event.sender
                 )
 
-            yield self.base_handler.ratelimit(
+            await self.base_handler.ratelimit(
                 requester, is_admin_redaction=is_admin_redaction
             )
 
-        yield self.base_handler.maybe_kick_guest_users(event, context)
+        await self.base_handler.maybe_kick_guest_users(event, context)
 
         if event.type == EventTypes.CanonicalAlias:
             # Validate a newly added alias or newly added alt_aliases.
@@ -927,7 +923,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
 
             original_event_id = event.unsigned.get("replaces_state")
             if original_event_id:
-                original_event = yield self.store.get_event(original_event_id)
+                original_event = await self.store.get_event(original_event_id)
 
                 if original_event:
                     original_alias = original_event.content.get("alias", None)
@@ -937,7 +933,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             room_alias_str = event.content.get("alias", None)
             directory_handler = self.hs.get_handlers().directory_handler
             if room_alias_str and room_alias_str != original_alias:
-                yield self._validate_canonical_alias(
+                await self._validate_canonical_alias(
                     directory_handler, room_alias_str, event.room_id
                 )
 
@@ -957,7 +953,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             new_alt_aliases = set(alt_aliases) - set(original_alt_aliases)
             if new_alt_aliases:
                 for alias_str in new_alt_aliases:
-                    yield self._validate_canonical_alias(
+                    await self._validate_canonical_alias(
                         directory_handler, alias_str, event.room_id
                     )
 
@@ -969,7 +965,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                 def is_inviter_member_event(e):
                     return e.type == EventTypes.Member and e.sender == event.sender
 
-                current_state_ids = yield context.get_current_state_ids()
+                current_state_ids = await context.get_current_state_ids()
 
                 state_to_include_ids = [
                     e_id
@@ -978,7 +974,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                     or k == (EventTypes.Member, event.sender)
                 ]
 
-                state_to_include = yield self.store.get_events(state_to_include_ids)
+                state_to_include = await self.store.get_events(state_to_include_ids)
 
                 event.unsigned["invite_room_state"] = [
                     {
@@ -996,7 +992,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                     # way? If we have been invited by a remote server, we need
                     # to get them to sign the event.
 
-                    returned_invite = yield defer.ensureDeferred(
+                    returned_invite = await defer.ensureDeferred(
                         federation_handler.send_invite(invitee.domain, event)
                     )
                     event.unsigned.pop("room_state", None)
@@ -1005,7 +1001,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                     event.signatures.update(returned_invite.signatures)
 
         if event.type == EventTypes.Redaction:
-            original_event = yield self.store.get_event(
+            original_event = await self.store.get_event(
                 event.redacts,
                 redact_behaviour=EventRedactBehaviour.AS_IS,
                 get_prev_content=False,
@@ -1021,14 +1017,14 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                 if original_event.room_id != event.room_id:
                     raise SynapseError(400, "Cannot redact event from a different room")
 
-            prev_state_ids = yield context.get_prev_state_ids()
-            auth_events_ids = yield self.auth.compute_auth_events(
+            prev_state_ids = await context.get_prev_state_ids()
+            auth_events_ids = await self.auth.compute_auth_events(
                 event, prev_state_ids, for_verification=True
             )
-            auth_events = yield self.store.get_events(auth_events_ids)
+            auth_events = await self.store.get_events(auth_events_ids)
             auth_events = {(e.type, e.state_key): e for e in auth_events.values()}
 
-            room_version = yield self.store.get_room_version_id(event.room_id)
+            room_version = await self.store.get_room_version_id(event.room_id)
             room_version_obj = KNOWN_ROOM_VERSIONS[room_version]
 
             if event_auth.check_redaction(
@@ -1047,11 +1043,11 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                 event.internal_metadata.recheck_redaction = False
 
         if event.type == EventTypes.Create:
-            prev_state_ids = yield context.get_prev_state_ids()
+            prev_state_ids = await context.get_prev_state_ids()
             if prev_state_ids:
                 raise AuthError(403, "Changing the room create event is forbidden")
 
-        event_stream_id, max_stream_id = yield self.storage.persistence.persist_event(
+        event_stream_id, max_stream_id = await self.storage.persistence.persist_event(
             event, context=context
         )
 
@@ -1059,7 +1055,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             # If there's an expiry timestamp on the event, schedule its expiry.
             self._message_handler.maybe_schedule_expiry(event)
 
-        yield self.pusher_pool.on_new_notifications(event_stream_id, max_stream_id)
+        await self.pusher_pool.on_new_notifications(event_stream_id, max_stream_id)
 
         def _notify():
             try:
@@ -1083,13 +1079,12 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
         except Exception:
             logger.exception("Error bumping presence active time")
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _send_dummy_events_to_fill_extremities(self):
+    async def _send_dummy_events_to_fill_extremities(self):
         """Background task to send dummy events into rooms that have a large
         number of extremities
         """
         self._expire_rooms_to_exclude_from_dummy_event_insertion()
-        room_ids = yield self.store.get_rooms_with_many_extremities(
+        room_ids = await self.store.get_rooms_with_many_extremities(
             min_count=10,
             limit=5,
             room_id_filter=self._rooms_to_exclude_from_dummy_event_insertion.keys(),
@@ -1099,9 +1094,9 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             # For each room we need to find a joined member we can use to send
             # the dummy event with.
 
-            latest_event_ids = yield self.store.get_prev_events_for_room(room_id)
+            latest_event_ids = await self.store.get_prev_events_for_room(room_id)
 
-            members = yield self.state.get_current_users_in_room(
+            members = await self.state.get_current_users_in_room(
                 room_id, latest_event_ids=latest_event_ids
             )
             dummy_event_sent = False
@@ -1110,7 +1105,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                     continue
                 requester = create_requester(user_id)
                 try:
-                    event, context = yield self.create_event(
+                    event, context = await self.create_event(
                         requester,
                         {
                             "type": "org.matrix.dummy_event",
@@ -1123,7 +1118,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
 
                     event.internal_metadata.proactively_send = False
 
-                    yield self.send_nonmember_event(
+                    await self.send_nonmember_event(
                         requester, event, context, ratelimit=False
                     )
                     dummy_event_sent = True
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/profile.py b/synapse/handlers/profile.py
index 6aa1c0f5e0..302efc1b9a 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/profile.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/profile.py
@@ -141,8 +141,9 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
 
             return result["displayname"]
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def set_displayname(self, target_user, requester, new_displayname, by_admin=False):
+    async def set_displayname(
+        self, target_user, requester, new_displayname, by_admin=False
+    ):
         """Set the displayname of a user
 
         Args:
@@ -158,7 +159,7 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
             raise AuthError(400, "Cannot set another user's displayname")
 
         if not by_admin and not self.hs.config.enable_set_displayname:
-            profile = yield self.store.get_profileinfo(target_user.localpart)
+            profile = await self.store.get_profileinfo(target_user.localpart)
             if profile.display_name:
                 raise SynapseError(
                     400,
@@ -180,15 +181,15 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
         if by_admin:
             requester = create_requester(target_user)
 
-        yield self.store.set_profile_displayname(target_user.localpart, new_displayname)
+        await self.store.set_profile_displayname(target_user.localpart, new_displayname)
 
         if self.hs.config.user_directory_search_all_users:
-            profile = yield self.store.get_profileinfo(target_user.localpart)
-            yield self.user_directory_handler.handle_local_profile_change(
+            profile = await self.store.get_profileinfo(target_user.localpart)
+            await self.user_directory_handler.handle_local_profile_change(
                 target_user.to_string(), profile
             )
 
-        yield self._update_join_states(requester, target_user)
+        await self._update_join_states(requester, target_user)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_avatar_url(self, target_user):
@@ -217,8 +218,9 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
 
             return result["avatar_url"]
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def set_avatar_url(self, target_user, requester, new_avatar_url, by_admin=False):
+    async def set_avatar_url(
+        self, target_user, requester, new_avatar_url, by_admin=False
+    ):
         """target_user is the user whose avatar_url is to be changed;
         auth_user is the user attempting to make this change."""
         if not self.hs.is_mine(target_user):
@@ -228,7 +230,7 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
             raise AuthError(400, "Cannot set another user's avatar_url")
 
         if not by_admin and not self.hs.config.enable_set_avatar_url:
-            profile = yield self.store.get_profileinfo(target_user.localpart)
+            profile = await self.store.get_profileinfo(target_user.localpart)
             if profile.avatar_url:
                 raise SynapseError(
                     400, "Changing avatar is disabled on this server", Codes.FORBIDDEN
@@ -243,15 +245,15 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
         if by_admin:
             requester = create_requester(target_user)
 
-        yield self.store.set_profile_avatar_url(target_user.localpart, new_avatar_url)
+        await self.store.set_profile_avatar_url(target_user.localpart, new_avatar_url)
 
         if self.hs.config.user_directory_search_all_users:
-            profile = yield self.store.get_profileinfo(target_user.localpart)
-            yield self.user_directory_handler.handle_local_profile_change(
+            profile = await self.store.get_profileinfo(target_user.localpart)
+            await self.user_directory_handler.handle_local_profile_change(
                 target_user.to_string(), profile
             )
 
-        yield self._update_join_states(requester, target_user)
+        await self._update_join_states(requester, target_user)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_profile_query(self, args):
@@ -279,21 +281,20 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         return response
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _update_join_states(self, requester, target_user):
+    async def _update_join_states(self, requester, target_user):
         if not self.hs.is_mine(target_user):
             return
 
-        yield self.ratelimit(requester)
+        await self.ratelimit(requester)
 
-        room_ids = yield self.store.get_rooms_for_user(target_user.to_string())
+        room_ids = await self.store.get_rooms_for_user(target_user.to_string())
 
         for room_id in room_ids:
             handler = self.hs.get_room_member_handler()
             try:
                 # Assume the target_user isn't a guest,
                 # because we don't let guests set profile or avatar data.
-                yield handler.update_membership(
+                await handler.update_membership(
                     requester,
                     target_user,
                     room_id,
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/register.py b/synapse/handlers/register.py
index 7ffc194f0c..7103fa40c7 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/register.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/register.py
@@ -145,9 +145,9 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
         """Registers a new client on the server.
 
         Args:
-            localpart : The local part of the user ID to register. If None,
+            localpart: The local part of the user ID to register. If None,
               one will be generated.
-            password (unicode) : The password to assign to this user so they can
+            password (unicode): The password to assign to this user so they can
               login again. This can be None which means they cannot login again
               via a password (e.g. the user is an application service user).
             user_type (str|None): type of user. One of the values from
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     fail_count += 1
 
         if not self.hs.config.user_consent_at_registration:
-            yield self._auto_join_rooms(user_id)
+            yield defer.ensureDeferred(self._auto_join_rooms(user_id))
         else:
             logger.info(
                 "Skipping auto-join for %s because consent is required at registration",
@@ -264,8 +264,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         return user_id
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _auto_join_rooms(self, user_id):
+    async def _auto_join_rooms(self, user_id):
         """Automatically joins users to auto join rooms - creating the room in the first place
         if the user is the first to be created.
 
@@ -279,9 +278,9 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
         # that an auto-generated support or bot user is not a real user and will never be
         # the user to create the room
         should_auto_create_rooms = False
-        is_real_user = yield self.store.is_real_user(user_id)
+        is_real_user = await self.store.is_real_user(user_id)
         if self.hs.config.autocreate_auto_join_rooms and is_real_user:
-            count = yield self.store.count_real_users()
+            count = await self.store.count_real_users()
             should_auto_create_rooms = count == 1
         for r in self.hs.config.auto_join_rooms:
             logger.info("Auto-joining %s to %s", user_id, r)
@@ -300,7 +299,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
                         # getting the RoomCreationHandler during init gives a dependency
                         # loop
-                        yield self.hs.get_room_creation_handler().create_room(
+                        await self.hs.get_room_creation_handler().create_room(
                             fake_requester,
                             config={
                                 "preset": "public_chat",
@@ -309,7 +308,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
                             ratelimit=False,
                         )
                 else:
-                    yield self._join_user_to_room(fake_requester, r)
+                    await self._join_user_to_room(fake_requester, r)
             except ConsentNotGivenError as e:
                 # Technically not necessary to pull out this error though
                 # moving away from bare excepts is a good thing to do.
@@ -317,15 +316,14 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.error("Failed to join new user to %r: %r", r, e)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def post_consent_actions(self, user_id):
+    async def post_consent_actions(self, user_id):
         """A series of registration actions that can only be carried out once consent
         has been granted
 
         Args:
             user_id (str): The user to join
         """
-        yield self._auto_join_rooms(user_id)
+        await self._auto_join_rooms(user_id)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def appservice_register(self, user_localpart, as_token):
@@ -392,14 +390,13 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
         self._next_generated_user_id += 1
         return str(id)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _join_user_to_room(self, requester, room_identifier):
+    async def _join_user_to_room(self, requester, room_identifier):
         room_member_handler = self.hs.get_room_member_handler()
         if RoomID.is_valid(room_identifier):
             room_id = room_identifier
         elif RoomAlias.is_valid(room_identifier):
             room_alias = RoomAlias.from_string(room_identifier)
-            room_id, remote_room_hosts = yield room_member_handler.lookup_room_alias(
+            room_id, remote_room_hosts = await room_member_handler.lookup_room_alias(
                 room_alias
             )
             room_id = room_id.to_string()
@@ -408,7 +405,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 400, "%s was not legal room ID or room alias" % (room_identifier,)
             )
 
-        yield room_member_handler.update_membership(
+        await room_member_handler.update_membership(
             requester=requester,
             target=requester.user,
             room_id=room_id,
@@ -546,8 +543,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         return (device_id, access_token)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def post_registration_actions(self, user_id, auth_result, access_token):
+    async def post_registration_actions(self, user_id, auth_result, access_token):
         """A user has completed registration
 
         Args:
@@ -558,7 +554,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 device, or None if `inhibit_login` enabled.
         """
         if self.hs.config.worker_app:
-            yield self._post_registration_client(
+            await self._post_registration_client(
                 user_id=user_id, auth_result=auth_result, access_token=access_token
             )
             return
@@ -570,19 +566,18 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
             if is_threepid_reserved(
                 self.hs.config.mau_limits_reserved_threepids, threepid
             ):
-                yield self.store.upsert_monthly_active_user(user_id)
+                await self.store.upsert_monthly_active_user(user_id)
 
-            yield self._register_email_threepid(user_id, threepid, access_token)
+            await self._register_email_threepid(user_id, threepid, access_token)
 
         if auth_result and LoginType.MSISDN in auth_result:
             threepid = auth_result[LoginType.MSISDN]
-            yield self._register_msisdn_threepid(user_id, threepid)
+            await self._register_msisdn_threepid(user_id, threepid)
 
         if auth_result and LoginType.TERMS in auth_result:
-            yield self._on_user_consented(user_id, self.hs.config.user_consent_version)
+            await self._on_user_consented(user_id, self.hs.config.user_consent_version)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _on_user_consented(self, user_id, consent_version):
+    async def _on_user_consented(self, user_id, consent_version):
         """A user consented to the terms on registration
 
         Args:
@@ -591,8 +586,8 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 consented to.
         """
         logger.info("%s has consented to the privacy policy", user_id)
-        yield self.store.user_set_consent_version(user_id, consent_version)
-        yield self.post_consent_actions(user_id)
+        await self.store.user_set_consent_version(user_id, consent_version)
+        await self.post_consent_actions(user_id)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _register_email_threepid(self, user_id, threepid, token):
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room.py b/synapse/handlers/room.py
index f580ab2e9f..91a57449e4 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room.py
@@ -148,17 +148,16 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         return ret
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _upgrade_room(
+    async def _upgrade_room(
         self, requester: Requester, old_room_id: str, new_version: RoomVersion
     ):
         user_id = requester.user.to_string()
 
         # start by allocating a new room id
-        r = yield self.store.get_room(old_room_id)
+        r = await self.store.get_room(old_room_id)
         if r is None:
             raise NotFoundError("Unknown room id %s" % (old_room_id,))
-        new_room_id = yield self._generate_room_id(
+        new_room_id = await self._generate_room_id(
             creator_id=user_id, is_public=r["is_public"], room_version=new_version,
         )
 
@@ -169,7 +168,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         (
             tombstone_event,
             tombstone_context,
-        ) = yield self.event_creation_handler.create_event(
+        ) = await self.event_creation_handler.create_event(
             requester,
             {
                 "type": EventTypes.Tombstone,
@@ -183,12 +182,12 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             },
             token_id=requester.access_token_id,
         )
-        old_room_version = yield self.store.get_room_version_id(old_room_id)
-        yield self.auth.check_from_context(
+        old_room_version = await self.store.get_room_version_id(old_room_id)
+        await self.auth.check_from_context(
             old_room_version, tombstone_event, tombstone_context
         )
 
-        yield self.clone_existing_room(
+        await self.clone_existing_room(
             requester,
             old_room_id=old_room_id,
             new_room_id=new_room_id,
@@ -197,32 +196,31 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         )
 
         # now send the tombstone
-        yield self.event_creation_handler.send_nonmember_event(
+        await self.event_creation_handler.send_nonmember_event(
             requester, tombstone_event, tombstone_context
         )
 
-        old_room_state = yield tombstone_context.get_current_state_ids()
+        old_room_state = await tombstone_context.get_current_state_ids()
 
         # update any aliases
-        yield self._move_aliases_to_new_room(
+        await self._move_aliases_to_new_room(
             requester, old_room_id, new_room_id, old_room_state
         )
 
         # Copy over user push rules, tags and migrate room directory state
-        yield self.room_member_handler.transfer_room_state_on_room_upgrade(
+        await self.room_member_handler.transfer_room_state_on_room_upgrade(
             old_room_id, new_room_id
         )
 
         # finally, shut down the PLs in the old room, and update them in the new
         # room.
-        yield self._update_upgraded_room_pls(
+        await self._update_upgraded_room_pls(
             requester, old_room_id, new_room_id, old_room_state,
         )
 
         return new_room_id
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _update_upgraded_room_pls(
+    async def _update_upgraded_room_pls(
         self,
         requester: Requester,
         old_room_id: str,
@@ -249,7 +247,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
             return
 
-        old_room_pl_state = yield self.store.get_event(old_room_pl_event_id)
+        old_room_pl_state = await self.store.get_event(old_room_pl_event_id)
 
         # we try to stop regular users from speaking by setting the PL required
         # to send regular events and invites to 'Moderator' level. That's normally
@@ -278,7 +276,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         if updated:
             try:
-                yield self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
+                await self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
                     requester,
                     {
                         "type": EventTypes.PowerLevels,
@@ -292,7 +290,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             except AuthError as e:
                 logger.warning("Unable to update PLs in old room: %s", e)
 
-        yield self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
+        await self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
             requester,
             {
                 "type": EventTypes.PowerLevels,
@@ -304,8 +302,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             ratelimit=False,
         )
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def clone_existing_room(
+    async def clone_existing_room(
         self,
         requester: Requester,
         old_room_id: str,
@@ -338,7 +335,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         # Check if old room was non-federatable
 
         # Get old room's create event
-        old_room_create_event = yield self.store.get_create_event_for_room(old_room_id)
+        old_room_create_event = await self.store.get_create_event_for_room(old_room_id)
 
         # Check if the create event specified a non-federatable room
         if not old_room_create_event.content.get("m.federate", True):
@@ -361,11 +358,11 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             (EventTypes.PowerLevels, ""),
         )
 
-        old_room_state_ids = yield self.store.get_filtered_current_state_ids(
+        old_room_state_ids = await self.store.get_filtered_current_state_ids(
             old_room_id, StateFilter.from_types(types_to_copy)
         )
         # map from event_id to BaseEvent
-        old_room_state_events = yield self.store.get_events(old_room_state_ids.values())
+        old_room_state_events = await self.store.get_events(old_room_state_ids.values())
 
         for k, old_event_id in iteritems(old_room_state_ids):
             old_event = old_room_state_events.get(old_event_id)
@@ -400,7 +397,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         if current_power_level < needed_power_level:
             power_levels["users"][user_id] = needed_power_level
 
-        yield self._send_events_for_new_room(
+        await self._send_events_for_new_room(
             requester,
             new_room_id,
             # we expect to override all the presets with initial_state, so this is
@@ -412,12 +409,12 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         )
 
         # Transfer membership events
-        old_room_member_state_ids = yield self.store.get_filtered_current_state_ids(
+        old_room_member_state_ids = await self.store.get_filtered_current_state_ids(
             old_room_id, StateFilter.from_types([(EventTypes.Member, None)])
         )
 
         # map from event_id to BaseEvent
-        old_room_member_state_events = yield self.store.get_events(
+        old_room_member_state_events = await self.store.get_events(
             old_room_member_state_ids.values()
         )
         for k, old_event in iteritems(old_room_member_state_events):
@@ -426,7 +423,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 "membership" in old_event.content
                 and old_event.content["membership"] == "ban"
             ):
-                yield self.room_member_handler.update_membership(
+                await self.room_member_handler.update_membership(
                     requester,
                     UserID.from_string(old_event["state_key"]),
                     new_room_id,
@@ -438,8 +435,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         # XXX invites/joins
         # XXX 3pid invites
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _move_aliases_to_new_room(
+    async def _move_aliases_to_new_room(
         self,
         requester: Requester,
         old_room_id: str,
@@ -448,13 +444,13 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
     ):
         directory_handler = self.hs.get_handlers().directory_handler
 
-        aliases = yield self.store.get_aliases_for_room(old_room_id)
+        aliases = await self.store.get_aliases_for_room(old_room_id)
 
         # check to see if we have a canonical alias.
         canonical_alias_event = None
         canonical_alias_event_id = old_room_state.get((EventTypes.CanonicalAlias, ""))
         if canonical_alias_event_id:
-            canonical_alias_event = yield self.store.get_event(canonical_alias_event_id)
+            canonical_alias_event = await self.store.get_event(canonical_alias_event_id)
 
         # first we try to remove the aliases from the old room (we suppress sending
         # the room_aliases event until the end).
@@ -472,7 +468,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         for alias_str in aliases:
             alias = RoomAlias.from_string(alias_str)
             try:
-                yield directory_handler.delete_association(requester, alias)
+                await directory_handler.delete_association(requester, alias)
                 removed_aliases.append(alias_str)
             except SynapseError as e:
                 logger.warning("Unable to remove alias %s from old room: %s", alias, e)
@@ -485,7 +481,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         # we can now add any aliases we successfully removed to the new room.
         for alias in removed_aliases:
             try:
-                yield directory_handler.create_association(
+                await directory_handler.create_association(
                     requester,
                     RoomAlias.from_string(alias),
                     new_room_id,
@@ -502,7 +498,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         # alias event for the new room with a copy of the information.
         try:
             if canonical_alias_event:
-                yield self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
+                await self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
                     requester,
                     {
                         "type": EventTypes.CanonicalAlias,
@@ -518,8 +514,9 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             # we returned the new room to the client at this point.
             logger.error("Unable to send updated alias events in new room: %s", e)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def create_room(self, requester, config, ratelimit=True, creator_join_profile=None):
+    async def create_room(
+        self, requester, config, ratelimit=True, creator_join_profile=None
+    ):
         """ Creates a new room.
 
         Args:
@@ -547,7 +544,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         """
         user_id = requester.user.to_string()
 
-        yield self.auth.check_auth_blocking(user_id)
+        await self.auth.check_auth_blocking(user_id)
 
         if (
             self._server_notices_mxid is not None
@@ -556,11 +553,11 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             # allow the server notices mxid to create rooms
             is_requester_admin = True
         else:
-            is_requester_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
+            is_requester_admin = await self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
 
         # Check whether the third party rules allows/changes the room create
         # request.
-        event_allowed = yield self.third_party_event_rules.on_create_room(
+        event_allowed = await self.third_party_event_rules.on_create_room(
             requester, config, is_requester_admin=is_requester_admin
         )
         if not event_allowed:
@@ -574,7 +571,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             raise SynapseError(403, "You are not permitted to create rooms")
 
         if ratelimit:
-            yield self.ratelimit(requester)
+            await self.ratelimit(requester)
 
         room_version_id = config.get(
             "room_version", self.config.default_room_version.identifier
@@ -597,7 +594,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     raise SynapseError(400, "Invalid characters in room alias")
 
             room_alias = RoomAlias(config["room_alias_name"], self.hs.hostname)
-            mapping = yield self.store.get_association_from_room_alias(room_alias)
+            mapping = await self.store.get_association_from_room_alias(room_alias)
 
             if mapping:
                 raise SynapseError(400, "Room alias already taken", Codes.ROOM_IN_USE)
@@ -612,7 +609,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             except Exception:
                 raise SynapseError(400, "Invalid user_id: %s" % (i,))
 
-        yield self.event_creation_handler.assert_accepted_privacy_policy(requester)
+        await self.event_creation_handler.assert_accepted_privacy_policy(requester)
 
         power_level_content_override = config.get("power_level_content_override")
         if (
@@ -631,13 +628,13 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         visibility = config.get("visibility", None)
         is_public = visibility == "public"
 
-        room_id = yield self._generate_room_id(
+        room_id = await self._generate_room_id(
             creator_id=user_id, is_public=is_public, room_version=room_version,
         )
 
         directory_handler = self.hs.get_handlers().directory_handler
         if room_alias:
-            yield directory_handler.create_association(
+            await directory_handler.create_association(
                 requester=requester,
                 room_id=room_id,
                 room_alias=room_alias,
@@ -663,7 +660,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         # override any attempt to set room versions via the creation_content
         creation_content["room_version"] = room_version.identifier
 
-        yield self._send_events_for_new_room(
+        await self._send_events_for_new_room(
             requester,
             room_id,
             preset_config=preset_config,
@@ -677,7 +674,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         if "name" in config:
             name = config["name"]
-            yield self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
+            await self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
                 requester,
                 {
                     "type": EventTypes.Name,
@@ -691,7 +688,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         if "topic" in config:
             topic = config["topic"]
-            yield self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
+            await self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
                 requester,
                 {
                     "type": EventTypes.Topic,
@@ -709,7 +706,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             if is_direct:
                 content["is_direct"] = is_direct
 
-            yield self.room_member_handler.update_membership(
+            await self.room_member_handler.update_membership(
                 requester,
                 UserID.from_string(invitee),
                 room_id,
@@ -723,7 +720,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             id_access_token = invite_3pid.get("id_access_token")  # optional
             address = invite_3pid["address"]
             medium = invite_3pid["medium"]
-            yield self.hs.get_room_member_handler().do_3pid_invite(
+            await self.hs.get_room_member_handler().do_3pid_invite(
                 room_id,
                 requester.user,
                 medium,
@@ -741,8 +738,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         return result
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _send_events_for_new_room(
+    async def _send_events_for_new_room(
         self,
         creator,  # A Requester object.
         room_id,
@@ -762,11 +758,10 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
             return e
 
-        @defer.inlineCallbacks
-        def send(etype, content, **kwargs):
+        async def send(etype, content, **kwargs):
             event = create(etype, content, **kwargs)
             logger.debug("Sending %s in new room", etype)
-            yield self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
+            await self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
                 creator, event, ratelimit=False
             )
 
@@ -777,10 +772,10 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         event_keys = {"room_id": room_id, "sender": creator_id, "state_key": ""}
 
         creation_content.update({"creator": creator_id})
-        yield send(etype=EventTypes.Create, content=creation_content)
+        await send(etype=EventTypes.Create, content=creation_content)
 
         logger.debug("Sending %s in new room", EventTypes.Member)
-        yield self.room_member_handler.update_membership(
+        await self.room_member_handler.update_membership(
             creator,
             creator.user,
             room_id,
@@ -793,7 +788,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         # of the first events that get sent into a room.
         pl_content = initial_state.pop((EventTypes.PowerLevels, ""), None)
         if pl_content is not None:
-            yield send(etype=EventTypes.PowerLevels, content=pl_content)
+            await send(etype=EventTypes.PowerLevels, content=pl_content)
         else:
             power_level_content = {
                 "users": {creator_id: 100},
@@ -825,33 +820,33 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             if power_level_content_override:
                 power_level_content.update(power_level_content_override)
 
-            yield send(etype=EventTypes.PowerLevels, content=power_level_content)
+            await send(etype=EventTypes.PowerLevels, content=power_level_content)
 
         if room_alias and (EventTypes.CanonicalAlias, "") not in initial_state:
-            yield send(
+            await send(
                 etype=EventTypes.CanonicalAlias,
                 content={"alias": room_alias.to_string()},
             )
 
         if (EventTypes.JoinRules, "") not in initial_state:
-            yield send(
+            await send(
                 etype=EventTypes.JoinRules, content={"join_rule": config["join_rules"]}
             )
 
         if (EventTypes.RoomHistoryVisibility, "") not in initial_state:
-            yield send(
+            await send(
                 etype=EventTypes.RoomHistoryVisibility,
                 content={"history_visibility": config["history_visibility"]},
             )
 
         if config["guest_can_join"]:
             if (EventTypes.GuestAccess, "") not in initial_state:
-                yield send(
+                await send(
                     etype=EventTypes.GuestAccess, content={"guest_access": "can_join"}
                 )
 
         for (etype, state_key), content in initial_state.items():
-            yield send(etype=etype, state_key=state_key, content=content)
+            await send(etype=etype, state_key=state_key, content=content)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _generate_room_id(
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room_member.py b/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
index c3ee8db4f0..df20f55630 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
@@ -142,8 +142,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         """
         raise NotImplementedError()
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _local_membership_update(
+    async def _local_membership_update(
         self,
         requester,
         target,
@@ -164,7 +163,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         if requester.is_guest:
             content["kind"] = "guest"
 
-        event, context = yield self.event_creation_handler.create_event(
+        event, context = await self.event_creation_handler.create_event(
             requester,
             {
                 "type": EventTypes.Member,
@@ -182,18 +181,18 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         )
 
         # Check if this event matches the previous membership event for the user.
-        duplicate = yield self.event_creation_handler.deduplicate_state_event(
+        duplicate = await self.event_creation_handler.deduplicate_state_event(
             event, context
         )
         if duplicate is not None:
             # Discard the new event since this membership change is a no-op.
             return duplicate
 
-        yield self.event_creation_handler.handle_new_client_event(
+        await self.event_creation_handler.handle_new_client_event(
             requester, event, context, extra_users=[target], ratelimit=ratelimit
         )
 
-        prev_state_ids = yield context.get_prev_state_ids()
+        prev_state_ids = await context.get_prev_state_ids()
 
         prev_member_event_id = prev_state_ids.get((EventTypes.Member, user_id), None)
 
@@ -203,15 +202,19 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
             # info.
             newly_joined = True
             if prev_member_event_id:
-                prev_member_event = yield self.store.get_event(prev_member_event_id)
+                prev_member_event = await self.store.get_event(prev_member_event_id)
                 newly_joined = prev_member_event.membership != Membership.JOIN
             if newly_joined:
-                yield self._user_joined_room(target, room_id)
+                d = self._user_joined_room(target, room_id)
+                if d:
+                    await d
         elif event.membership == Membership.LEAVE:
             if prev_member_event_id:
-                prev_member_event = yield self.store.get_event(prev_member_event_id)
+                prev_member_event = await self.store.get_event(prev_member_event_id)
                 if prev_member_event.membership == Membership.JOIN:
-                    yield self._user_left_room(target, room_id)
+                    d = self._user_left_room(target, room_id)
+                    if d:
+                        await d
 
         return event
 
@@ -253,8 +256,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         for tag, tag_content in room_tags.items():
             yield self.store.add_tag_to_room(user_id, new_room_id, tag, tag_content)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def update_membership(
+    async def update_membership(
         self,
         requester,
         target,
@@ -269,8 +271,8 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
     ):
         key = (room_id,)
 
-        with (yield self.member_linearizer.queue(key)):
-            result = yield self._update_membership(
+        with (await self.member_linearizer.queue(key)):
+            result = await self._update_membership(
                 requester,
                 target,
                 room_id,
@@ -285,8 +287,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
 
         return result
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _update_membership(
+    async def _update_membership(
         self,
         requester,
         target,
@@ -321,7 +322,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         # if this is a join with a 3pid signature, we may need to turn a 3pid
         # invite into a normal invite before we can handle the join.
         if third_party_signed is not None:
-            yield self.federation_handler.exchange_third_party_invite(
+            await self.federation_handler.exchange_third_party_invite(
                 third_party_signed["sender"],
                 target.to_string(),
                 room_id,
@@ -332,7 +333,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
             remote_room_hosts = []
 
         if effective_membership_state not in ("leave", "ban"):
-            is_blocked = yield self.store.is_room_blocked(room_id)
+            is_blocked = await self.store.is_room_blocked(room_id)
             if is_blocked:
                 raise SynapseError(403, "This room has been blocked on this server")
 
@@ -351,7 +352,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 is_requester_admin = True
 
             else:
-                is_requester_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
+                is_requester_admin = await self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
 
             if not is_requester_admin:
                 if self.config.block_non_admin_invites:
@@ -370,9 +371,9 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
             if block_invite:
                 raise SynapseError(403, "Invites have been disabled on this server")
 
-        latest_event_ids = yield self.store.get_prev_events_for_room(room_id)
+        latest_event_ids = await self.store.get_prev_events_for_room(room_id)
 
-        current_state_ids = yield self.state_handler.get_current_state_ids(
+        current_state_ids = await self.state_handler.get_current_state_ids(
             room_id, latest_event_ids=latest_event_ids
         )
 
@@ -381,7 +382,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         # transitions and generic otherwise
         old_state_id = current_state_ids.get((EventTypes.Member, target.to_string()))
         if old_state_id:
-            old_state = yield self.store.get_event(old_state_id, allow_none=True)
+            old_state = await self.store.get_event(old_state_id, allow_none=True)
             old_membership = old_state.content.get("membership") if old_state else None
             if action == "unban" and old_membership != "ban":
                 raise SynapseError(
@@ -413,7 +414,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 old_membership == Membership.INVITE
                 and effective_membership_state == Membership.LEAVE
             ):
-                is_blocked = yield self._is_server_notice_room(room_id)
+                is_blocked = await self._is_server_notice_room(room_id)
                 if is_blocked:
                     raise SynapseError(
                         http_client.FORBIDDEN,
@@ -424,18 +425,18 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
             if action == "kick":
                 raise AuthError(403, "The target user is not in the room")
 
-        is_host_in_room = yield self._is_host_in_room(current_state_ids)
+        is_host_in_room = await self._is_host_in_room(current_state_ids)
 
         if effective_membership_state == Membership.JOIN:
             if requester.is_guest:
-                guest_can_join = yield self._can_guest_join(current_state_ids)
+                guest_can_join = await self._can_guest_join(current_state_ids)
                 if not guest_can_join:
                     # This should be an auth check, but guests are a local concept,
                     # so don't really fit into the general auth process.
                     raise AuthError(403, "Guest access not allowed")
 
             if not is_host_in_room:
-                inviter = yield self._get_inviter(target.to_string(), room_id)
+                inviter = await self._get_inviter(target.to_string(), room_id)
                 if inviter and not self.hs.is_mine(inviter):
                     remote_room_hosts.append(inviter.domain)
 
@@ -443,13 +444,13 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
 
                 profile = self.profile_handler
                 if not content_specified:
-                    content["displayname"] = yield profile.get_displayname(target)
-                    content["avatar_url"] = yield profile.get_avatar_url(target)
+                    content["displayname"] = await profile.get_displayname(target)
+                    content["avatar_url"] = await profile.get_avatar_url(target)
 
                 if requester.is_guest:
                     content["kind"] = "guest"
 
-                remote_join_response = yield self._remote_join(
+                remote_join_response = await self._remote_join(
                     requester, remote_room_hosts, room_id, target, content
                 )
 
@@ -458,7 +459,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         elif effective_membership_state == Membership.LEAVE:
             if not is_host_in_room:
                 # perhaps we've been invited
-                inviter = yield self._get_inviter(target.to_string(), room_id)
+                inviter = await self._get_inviter(target.to_string(), room_id)
                 if not inviter:
                     raise SynapseError(404, "Not a known room")
 
@@ -472,12 +473,12 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 else:
                     # send the rejection to the inviter's HS.
                     remote_room_hosts = remote_room_hosts + [inviter.domain]
-                    res = yield self._remote_reject_invite(
+                    res = await self._remote_reject_invite(
                         requester, remote_room_hosts, room_id, target, content,
                     )
                     return res
 
-        res = yield self._local_membership_update(
+        res = await self._local_membership_update(
             requester=requester,
             target=target,
             room_id=room_id,
@@ -572,8 +573,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 )
                 continue
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def send_membership_event(self, requester, event, context, ratelimit=True):
+    async def send_membership_event(self, requester, event, context, ratelimit=True):
         """
         Change the membership status of a user in a room.
 
@@ -599,27 +599,27 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         else:
             requester = types.create_requester(target_user)
 
-        prev_event = yield self.event_creation_handler.deduplicate_state_event(
+        prev_event = await self.event_creation_handler.deduplicate_state_event(
             event, context
         )
         if prev_event is not None:
             return
 
-        prev_state_ids = yield context.get_prev_state_ids()
+        prev_state_ids = await context.get_prev_state_ids()
         if event.membership == Membership.JOIN:
             if requester.is_guest:
-                guest_can_join = yield self._can_guest_join(prev_state_ids)
+                guest_can_join = await self._can_guest_join(prev_state_ids)
                 if not guest_can_join:
                     # This should be an auth check, but guests are a local concept,
                     # so don't really fit into the general auth process.
                     raise AuthError(403, "Guest access not allowed")
 
         if event.membership not in (Membership.LEAVE, Membership.BAN):
-            is_blocked = yield self.store.is_room_blocked(room_id)
+            is_blocked = await self.store.is_room_blocked(room_id)
             if is_blocked:
                 raise SynapseError(403, "This room has been blocked on this server")
 
-        yield self.event_creation_handler.handle_new_client_event(
+        await self.event_creation_handler.handle_new_client_event(
             requester, event, context, extra_users=[target_user], ratelimit=ratelimit
         )
 
@@ -633,15 +633,15 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
             # info.
             newly_joined = True
             if prev_member_event_id:
-                prev_member_event = yield self.store.get_event(prev_member_event_id)
+                prev_member_event = await self.store.get_event(prev_member_event_id)
                 newly_joined = prev_member_event.membership != Membership.JOIN
             if newly_joined:
-                yield self._user_joined_room(target_user, room_id)
+                await self._user_joined_room(target_user, room_id)
         elif event.membership == Membership.LEAVE:
             if prev_member_event_id:
-                prev_member_event = yield self.store.get_event(prev_member_event_id)
+                prev_member_event = await self.store.get_event(prev_member_event_id)
                 if prev_member_event.membership == Membership.JOIN:
-                    yield self._user_left_room(target_user, room_id)
+                    await self._user_left_room(target_user, room_id)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _can_guest_join(self, current_state_ids):
@@ -699,8 +699,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         if invite:
             return UserID.from_string(invite.sender)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def do_3pid_invite(
+    async def do_3pid_invite(
         self,
         room_id,
         inviter,
@@ -712,7 +711,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         id_access_token=None,
     ):
         if self.config.block_non_admin_invites:
-            is_requester_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
+            is_requester_admin = await self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
             if not is_requester_admin:
                 raise SynapseError(
                     403, "Invites have been disabled on this server", Codes.FORBIDDEN
@@ -720,9 +719,9 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
 
         # We need to rate limit *before* we send out any 3PID invites, so we
         # can't just rely on the standard ratelimiting of events.
-        yield self.base_handler.ratelimit(requester)
+        await self.base_handler.ratelimit(requester)
 
-        can_invite = yield self.third_party_event_rules.check_threepid_can_be_invited(
+        can_invite = await self.third_party_event_rules.check_threepid_can_be_invited(
             medium, address, room_id
         )
         if not can_invite:
@@ -737,16 +736,16 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 403, "Looking up third-party identifiers is denied from this server"
             )
 
-        invitee = yield self.identity_handler.lookup_3pid(
+        invitee = await self.identity_handler.lookup_3pid(
             id_server, medium, address, id_access_token
         )
 
         if invitee:
-            yield self.update_membership(
+            await self.update_membership(
                 requester, UserID.from_string(invitee), room_id, "invite", txn_id=txn_id
             )
         else:
-            yield self._make_and_store_3pid_invite(
+            await self._make_and_store_3pid_invite(
                 requester,
                 id_server,
                 medium,
@@ -757,8 +756,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 id_access_token=id_access_token,
             )
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _make_and_store_3pid_invite(
+    async def _make_and_store_3pid_invite(
         self,
         requester,
         id_server,
@@ -769,7 +767,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         txn_id,
         id_access_token=None,
     ):
-        room_state = yield self.state_handler.get_current_state(room_id)
+        room_state = await self.state_handler.get_current_state(room_id)
 
         inviter_display_name = ""
         inviter_avatar_url = ""
@@ -807,7 +805,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
             public_keys,
             fallback_public_key,
             display_name,
-        ) = yield self.identity_handler.ask_id_server_for_third_party_invite(
+        ) = await self.identity_handler.ask_id_server_for_third_party_invite(
             requester=requester,
             id_server=id_server,
             medium=medium,
@@ -823,7 +821,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
             id_access_token=id_access_token,
         )
 
-        yield self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
+        await self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
             requester,
             {
                 "type": EventTypes.ThirdPartyInvite,
@@ -917,8 +915,7 @@ class RoomMemberMasterHandler(RoomMemberHandler):
 
         return complexity["v1"] > max_complexity
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _remote_join(self, requester, remote_room_hosts, room_id, user, content):
+    async def _remote_join(self, requester, remote_room_hosts, room_id, user, content):
         """Implements RoomMemberHandler._remote_join
         """
         # filter ourselves out of remote_room_hosts: do_invite_join ignores it
@@ -933,7 +930,7 @@ class RoomMemberMasterHandler(RoomMemberHandler):
 
         if self.hs.config.limit_remote_rooms.enabled:
             # Fetch the room complexity
-            too_complex = yield self._is_remote_room_too_complex(
+            too_complex = await self._is_remote_room_too_complex(
                 room_id, remote_room_hosts
             )
             if too_complex is True:
@@ -947,12 +944,12 @@ class RoomMemberMasterHandler(RoomMemberHandler):
         # join dance for now, since we're kinda implicitly checking
         # that we are allowed to join when we decide whether or not we
         # need to do the invite/join dance.
-        yield defer.ensureDeferred(
-            self.federation_handler.do_invite_join(
-                remote_room_hosts, room_id, user.to_string(), content
-            )
+        await self.federation_handler.do_invite_join(
+            remote_room_hosts, room_id, user.to_string(), content
         )
-        yield self._user_joined_room(user, room_id)
+        d = self._user_joined_room(user, room_id)
+        if d:
+            await d
 
         # Check the room we just joined wasn't too large, if we didn't fetch the
         # complexity of it before.
@@ -962,7 +959,7 @@ class RoomMemberMasterHandler(RoomMemberHandler):
                 return
 
             # Check again, but with the local state events
-            too_complex = yield self._is_local_room_too_complex(room_id)
+            too_complex = await self._is_local_room_too_complex(room_id)
 
             if too_complex is False:
                 # We're under the limit.
@@ -970,7 +967,7 @@ class RoomMemberMasterHandler(RoomMemberHandler):
 
             # The room is too large. Leave.
             requester = types.create_requester(user, None, False, None)
-            yield self.update_membership(
+            await self.update_membership(
                 requester=requester, target=user, room_id=room_id, action="leave"
             )
             raise SynapseError(
diff --git a/synapse/server_notices/consent_server_notices.py b/synapse/server_notices/consent_server_notices.py
index 5736c56032..3bf330da49 100644
--- a/synapse/server_notices/consent_server_notices.py
+++ b/synapse/server_notices/consent_server_notices.py
@@ -16,8 +16,6 @@ import logging
 
 from six import iteritems, string_types
 
-from twisted.internet import defer
-
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 from synapse.api.urls import ConsentURIBuilder
 from synapse.config import ConfigError
@@ -59,8 +57,7 @@ class ConsentServerNotices(object):
 
             self._consent_uri_builder = ConsentURIBuilder(hs.config)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self, user_id):
+    async def maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self, user_id):
         """Check if we need to send a notice to this user, and does so if so
 
         Args:
@@ -78,7 +75,7 @@ class ConsentServerNotices(object):
             return
         self._users_in_progress.add(user_id)
         try:
-            u = yield self._store.get_user_by_id(user_id)
+            u = await self._store.get_user_by_id(user_id)
 
             if u["is_guest"] and not self._send_to_guests:
                 # don't send to guests
@@ -100,8 +97,8 @@ class ConsentServerNotices(object):
                 content = copy_with_str_subst(
                     self._server_notice_content, {"consent_uri": consent_uri}
                 )
-                yield self._server_notices_manager.send_notice(user_id, content)
-                yield self._store.user_set_consent_server_notice_sent(
+                await self._server_notices_manager.send_notice(user_id, content)
+                await self._store.user_set_consent_server_notice_sent(
                     user_id, self._current_consent_version
                 )
             except SynapseError as e:
diff --git a/synapse/server_notices/resource_limits_server_notices.py b/synapse/server_notices/resource_limits_server_notices.py
index ce4a828894..0fa3ab4938 100644
--- a/synapse/server_notices/resource_limits_server_notices.py
+++ b/synapse/server_notices/resource_limits_server_notices.py
@@ -50,8 +50,7 @@ class ResourceLimitsServerNotices(object):
 
         self._notifier = hs.get_notifier()
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self, user_id):
+    async def maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self, user_id):
         """Check if we need to send a notice to this user, this will be true in
         two cases.
         1. The server has reached its limit does not reflect this
@@ -74,13 +73,13 @@ class ResourceLimitsServerNotices(object):
             # Don't try and send server notices unless they've been enabled
             return
 
-        timestamp = yield self._store.user_last_seen_monthly_active(user_id)
+        timestamp = await self._store.user_last_seen_monthly_active(user_id)
         if timestamp is None:
             # This user will be blocked from receiving the notice anyway.
             # In practice, not sure we can ever get here
             return
 
-        room_id = yield self._server_notices_manager.get_or_create_notice_room_for_user(
+        room_id = await self._server_notices_manager.get_or_create_notice_room_for_user(
             user_id
         )
 
@@ -88,10 +87,10 @@ class ResourceLimitsServerNotices(object):
             logger.warning("Failed to get server notices room")
             return
 
-        yield self._check_and_set_tags(user_id, room_id)
+        await self._check_and_set_tags(user_id, room_id)
 
         # Determine current state of room
-        currently_blocked, ref_events = yield self._is_room_currently_blocked(room_id)
+        currently_blocked, ref_events = await self._is_room_currently_blocked(room_id)
 
         limit_msg = None
         limit_type = None
@@ -99,7 +98,7 @@ class ResourceLimitsServerNotices(object):
             # Normally should always pass in user_id to check_auth_blocking
             # if you have it, but in this case are checking what would happen
             # to other users if they were to arrive.
-            yield self._auth.check_auth_blocking()
+            await self._auth.check_auth_blocking()
         except ResourceLimitError as e:
             limit_msg = e.msg
             limit_type = e.limit_type
@@ -112,22 +111,21 @@ class ResourceLimitsServerNotices(object):
                 # We have hit the MAU limit, but MAU alerting is disabled:
                 # reset room if necessary and return
                 if currently_blocked:
-                    self._remove_limit_block_notification(user_id, ref_events)
+                    await self._remove_limit_block_notification(user_id, ref_events)
                 return
 
             if currently_blocked and not limit_msg:
                 # Room is notifying of a block, when it ought not to be.
-                yield self._remove_limit_block_notification(user_id, ref_events)
+                await self._remove_limit_block_notification(user_id, ref_events)
             elif not currently_blocked and limit_msg:
                 # Room is not notifying of a block, when it ought to be.
-                yield self._apply_limit_block_notification(
+                await self._apply_limit_block_notification(
                     user_id, limit_msg, limit_type
                 )
         except SynapseError as e:
             logger.error("Error sending resource limits server notice: %s", e)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _remove_limit_block_notification(self, user_id, ref_events):
+    async def _remove_limit_block_notification(self, user_id, ref_events):
         """Utility method to remove limit block notifications from the server
         notices room.
 
@@ -137,12 +135,13 @@ class ResourceLimitsServerNotices(object):
             limit blocking and need to be preserved.
         """
         content = {"pinned": ref_events}
-        yield self._server_notices_manager.send_notice(
+        await self._server_notices_manager.send_notice(
             user_id, content, EventTypes.Pinned, ""
         )
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _apply_limit_block_notification(self, user_id, event_body, event_limit_type):
+    async def _apply_limit_block_notification(
+        self, user_id, event_body, event_limit_type
+    ):
         """Utility method to apply limit block notifications in the server
         notices room.
 
@@ -159,12 +158,12 @@ class ResourceLimitsServerNotices(object):
             "admin_contact": self._config.admin_contact,
             "limit_type": event_limit_type,
         }
-        event = yield self._server_notices_manager.send_notice(
+        event = await self._server_notices_manager.send_notice(
             user_id, content, EventTypes.Message
         )
 
         content = {"pinned": [event.event_id]}
-        yield self._server_notices_manager.send_notice(
+        await self._server_notices_manager.send_notice(
             user_id, content, EventTypes.Pinned, ""
         )
 
@@ -198,7 +197,7 @@ class ResourceLimitsServerNotices(object):
             room_id(str): The room id of the server notices room
 
         Returns:
-
+            Deferred[bool|List]:
             bool: Is the room currently blocked
             list: The list of pinned events that are unrelated to limit blocking
             This list can be used as a convenience in the case where the block
diff --git a/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_manager.py b/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_manager.py
index bf0943f265..999c621b92 100644
--- a/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_manager.py
+++ b/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_manager.py
@@ -14,11 +14,9 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 import logging
 
-from twisted.internet import defer
-
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership, RoomCreationPreset
 from synapse.types import UserID, create_requester
-from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cachedInlineCallbacks
+from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cached
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -51,8 +49,7 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
         """
         return self._config.server_notices_mxid is not None
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def send_notice(
+    async def send_notice(
         self, user_id, event_content, type=EventTypes.Message, state_key=None
     ):
         """Send a notice to the given user
@@ -68,8 +65,8 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
         Returns:
             Deferred[FrozenEvent]
         """
-        room_id = yield self.get_or_create_notice_room_for_user(user_id)
-        yield self.maybe_invite_user_to_room(user_id, room_id)
+        room_id = await self.get_or_create_notice_room_for_user(user_id)
+        await self.maybe_invite_user_to_room(user_id, room_id)
 
         system_mxid = self._config.server_notices_mxid
         requester = create_requester(system_mxid)
@@ -86,13 +83,13 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
         if state_key is not None:
             event_dict["state_key"] = state_key
 
-        res = yield self._event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
+        res = await self._event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
             requester, event_dict, ratelimit=False
         )
         return res
 
-    @cachedInlineCallbacks()
-    def get_or_create_notice_room_for_user(self, user_id):
+    @cached()
+    async def get_or_create_notice_room_for_user(self, user_id):
         """Get the room for notices for a given user
 
         If we have not yet created a notice room for this user, create it, but don't
@@ -109,7 +106,7 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
 
         assert self._is_mine_id(user_id), "Cannot send server notices to remote users"
 
-        rooms = yield self._store.get_rooms_for_local_user_where_membership_is(
+        rooms = await self._store.get_rooms_for_local_user_where_membership_is(
             user_id, [Membership.INVITE, Membership.JOIN]
         )
         for room in rooms:
@@ -118,7 +115,7 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
             # be joined. This is kinda deliberate, in that if somebody somehow
             # manages to invite the system user to a room, that doesn't make it
             # the server notices room.
-            user_ids = yield self._store.get_users_in_room(room.room_id)
+            user_ids = await self._store.get_users_in_room(room.room_id)
             if self.server_notices_mxid in user_ids:
                 # we found a room which our user shares with the system notice
                 # user
@@ -146,7 +143,7 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
             }
 
         requester = create_requester(self.server_notices_mxid)
-        info = yield self._room_creation_handler.create_room(
+        info = await self._room_creation_handler.create_room(
             requester,
             config={
                 "preset": RoomCreationPreset.PRIVATE_CHAT,
@@ -158,7 +155,7 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
         )
         room_id = info["room_id"]
 
-        max_id = yield self._store.add_tag_to_room(
+        max_id = await self._store.add_tag_to_room(
             user_id, room_id, SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM_TAG, {}
         )
         self._notifier.on_new_event("account_data_key", max_id, users=[user_id])
@@ -166,8 +163,7 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
         logger.info("Created server notices room %s for %s", room_id, user_id)
         return room_id
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def maybe_invite_user_to_room(self, user_id: str, room_id: str):
+    async def maybe_invite_user_to_room(self, user_id: str, room_id: str):
         """Invite the given user to the given server room, unless the user has already
         joined or been invited to it.
 
@@ -179,14 +175,14 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
 
         # Check whether the user has already joined or been invited to this room. If
         # that's the case, there is no need to re-invite them.
-        joined_rooms = yield self._store.get_rooms_for_local_user_where_membership_is(
+        joined_rooms = await self._store.get_rooms_for_local_user_where_membership_is(
             user_id, [Membership.INVITE, Membership.JOIN]
         )
         for room in joined_rooms:
             if room.room_id == room_id:
                 return
 
-        yield self._room_member_handler.update_membership(
+        await self._room_member_handler.update_membership(
             requester=requester,
             target=UserID.from_string(user_id),
             room_id=room_id,
diff --git a/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_sender.py b/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_sender.py
index 652bab58e3..be74e86641 100644
--- a/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_sender.py
+++ b/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_sender.py
@@ -12,8 +12,6 @@
 # WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
-from twisted.internet import defer
-
 from synapse.server_notices.consent_server_notices import ConsentServerNotices
 from synapse.server_notices.resource_limits_server_notices import (
     ResourceLimitsServerNotices,
@@ -36,18 +34,16 @@ class ServerNoticesSender(object):
             ResourceLimitsServerNotices(hs),
         )
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def on_user_syncing(self, user_id):
+    async def on_user_syncing(self, user_id):
         """Called when the user performs a sync operation.
 
         Args:
             user_id (str): mxid of user who synced
         """
         for sn in self._server_notices:
-            yield sn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(user_id)
+            await sn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(user_id)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def on_user_ip(self, user_id):
+    async def on_user_ip(self, user_id):
         """Called on the master when a worker process saw a client request.
 
         Args:
@@ -57,4 +53,4 @@ class ServerNoticesSender(object):
         # we check for notices to send to the user in on_user_ip as well as
         # in on_user_syncing
         for sn in self._server_notices:
-            yield sn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(user_id)
+            await sn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(user_id)
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_profile.py b/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
index be665262c6..8aa56f1496 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
@@ -82,18 +82,26 @@ class ProfileTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_set_my_name(self):
-        yield self.handler.set_displayname(
-            self.frank, synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank), "Frank Jr."
+        yield defer.ensureDeferred(
+            self.handler.set_displayname(
+                self.frank, synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank), "Frank Jr."
+            )
         )
 
         self.assertEquals(
-            (yield self.store.get_profile_displayname(self.frank.localpart)),
+            (
+                yield defer.ensureDeferred(
+                    self.store.get_profile_displayname(self.frank.localpart)
+                )
+            ),
             "Frank Jr.",
         )
 
         # Set displayname again
-        yield self.handler.set_displayname(
-            self.frank, synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank), "Frank"
+        yield defer.ensureDeferred(
+            self.handler.set_displayname(
+                self.frank, synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank), "Frank"
+            )
         )
 
         self.assertEquals(
@@ -112,16 +120,20 @@ class ProfileTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         )
 
         # Setting displayname a second time is forbidden
-        d = self.handler.set_displayname(
-            self.frank, synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank), "Frank Jr."
+        d = defer.ensureDeferred(
+            self.handler.set_displayname(
+                self.frank, synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank), "Frank Jr."
+            )
         )
 
         yield self.assertFailure(d, SynapseError)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_set_my_name_noauth(self):
-        d = self.handler.set_displayname(
-            self.frank, synapse.types.create_requester(self.bob), "Frank Jr."
+        d = defer.ensureDeferred(
+            self.handler.set_displayname(
+                self.frank, synapse.types.create_requester(self.bob), "Frank Jr."
+            )
         )
 
         yield self.assertFailure(d, AuthError)
@@ -165,10 +177,12 @@ class ProfileTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_set_my_avatar(self):
-        yield self.handler.set_avatar_url(
-            self.frank,
-            synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank),
-            "http://my.server/pic.gif",
+        yield defer.ensureDeferred(
+            self.handler.set_avatar_url(
+                self.frank,
+                synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank),
+                "http://my.server/pic.gif",
+            )
         )
 
         self.assertEquals(
@@ -177,10 +191,12 @@ class ProfileTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         )
 
         # Set avatar again
-        yield self.handler.set_avatar_url(
-            self.frank,
-            synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank),
-            "http://my.server/me.png",
+        yield defer.ensureDeferred(
+            self.handler.set_avatar_url(
+                self.frank,
+                synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank),
+                "http://my.server/me.png",
+            )
         )
 
         self.assertEquals(
@@ -203,10 +219,12 @@ class ProfileTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         )
 
         # Set avatar a second time is forbidden
-        d = self.handler.set_avatar_url(
-            self.frank,
-            synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank),
-            "http://my.server/pic.gif",
+        d = defer.ensureDeferred(
+            self.handler.set_avatar_url(
+                self.frank,
+                synapse.types.create_requester(self.frank),
+                "http://my.server/pic.gif",
+            )
         )
 
         yield self.assertFailure(d, SynapseError)
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_register.py b/tests/handlers/test_register.py
index e7b638dbfe..1b7935cef2 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_register.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_register.py
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ class RegistrationTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         room_alias_str = "#room:test"
         self.hs.config.auto_join_rooms = [room_alias_str]
 
-        self.store.is_real_user = Mock(return_value=False)
+        self.store.is_real_user = Mock(return_value=defer.succeed(False))
         user_id = self.get_success(self.handler.register_user(localpart="support"))
         rooms = self.get_success(self.store.get_rooms_for_user(user_id))
         self.assertEqual(len(rooms), 0)
@@ -187,8 +187,8 @@ class RegistrationTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         room_alias_str = "#room:test"
         self.hs.config.auto_join_rooms = [room_alias_str]
 
-        self.store.count_real_users = Mock(return_value=1)
-        self.store.is_real_user = Mock(return_value=True)
+        self.store.count_real_users = Mock(return_value=defer.succeed(1))
+        self.store.is_real_user = Mock(return_value=defer.succeed(True))
         user_id = self.get_success(self.handler.register_user(localpart="real"))
         rooms = self.get_success(self.store.get_rooms_for_user(user_id))
         directory_handler = self.hs.get_handlers().directory_handler
@@ -202,8 +202,8 @@ class RegistrationTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         room_alias_str = "#room:test"
         self.hs.config.auto_join_rooms = [room_alias_str]
 
-        self.store.count_real_users = Mock(return_value=2)
-        self.store.is_real_user = Mock(return_value=True)
+        self.store.count_real_users = Mock(return_value=defer.succeed(2))
+        self.store.is_real_user = Mock(return_value=defer.succeed(True))
         user_id = self.get_success(self.handler.register_user(localpart="real"))
         rooms = self.get_success(self.store.get_rooms_for_user(user_id))
         self.assertEqual(len(rooms), 0)
@@ -256,8 +256,9 @@ class RegistrationTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             self.handler.register_user(localpart=invalid_user_id), SynapseError
         )
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def get_or_create_user(self, requester, localpart, displayname, password_hash=None):
+    async def get_or_create_user(
+        self, requester, localpart, displayname, password_hash=None
+    ):
         """Creates a new user if the user does not exist,
         else revokes all previous access tokens and generates a new one.
 
@@ -272,11 +273,11 @@ class RegistrationTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         """
         if localpart is None:
             raise SynapseError(400, "Request must include user id")
-        yield self.hs.get_auth().check_auth_blocking()
+        await self.hs.get_auth().check_auth_blocking()
         need_register = True
 
         try:
-            yield self.handler.check_username(localpart)
+            await self.handler.check_username(localpart)
         except SynapseError as e:
             if e.errcode == Codes.USER_IN_USE:
                 need_register = False
@@ -288,21 +289,21 @@ class RegistrationTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         token = self.macaroon_generator.generate_access_token(user_id)
 
         if need_register:
-            yield self.handler.register_with_store(
+            await self.handler.register_with_store(
                 user_id=user_id,
                 password_hash=password_hash,
                 create_profile_with_displayname=user.localpart,
             )
         else:
-            yield self.hs.get_auth_handler().delete_access_tokens_for_user(user_id)
+            await self.hs.get_auth_handler().delete_access_tokens_for_user(user_id)
 
-        yield self.store.add_access_token_to_user(
+        await self.store.add_access_token_to_user(
             user_id=user_id, token=token, device_id=None, valid_until_ms=None
         )
 
         if displayname is not None:
             # logger.info("setting user display name: %s -> %s", user_id, displayname)
-            yield self.hs.get_profile_handler().set_displayname(
+            await self.hs.get_profile_handler().set_displayname(
                 user, requester, displayname, by_admin=True
             )
 
diff --git a/tests/server_notices/test_resource_limits_server_notices.py b/tests/server_notices/test_resource_limits_server_notices.py
index 93eb053b8c..ef9ef97ccf 100644
--- a/tests/server_notices/test_resource_limits_server_notices.py
+++ b/tests/server_notices/test_resource_limits_server_notices.py
@@ -55,25 +55,18 @@ class TestResourceLimitsServerNotices(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self._rlsn._store.user_last_seen_monthly_active = Mock(
             return_value=defer.succeed(1000)
         )
-        self._send_notice = self._rlsn._server_notices_manager.send_notice
-        self._rlsn._server_notices_manager.send_notice = Mock()
-        self._rlsn._state.get_current_state = Mock(return_value=defer.succeed(None))
-        self._rlsn._store.get_events = Mock(return_value=defer.succeed({}))
-
+        self._rlsn._server_notices_manager.send_notice = Mock(
+            return_value=defer.succeed(Mock())
+        )
         self._send_notice = self._rlsn._server_notices_manager.send_notice
 
         self.hs.config.limit_usage_by_mau = True
         self.user_id = "@user_id:test"
 
-        # self.server_notices_mxid = "@server:test"
-        # self.server_notices_mxid_display_name = None
-        # self.server_notices_mxid_avatar_url = None
-        # self.server_notices_room_name = "Server Notices"
-
         self._rlsn._server_notices_manager.get_or_create_notice_room_for_user = Mock(
-            returnValue=""
+            return_value=defer.succeed("!something:localhost")
         )
-        self._rlsn._store.add_tag_to_room = Mock()
+        self._rlsn._store.add_tag_to_room = Mock(return_value=defer.succeed(None))
         self._rlsn._store.get_tags_for_room = Mock(return_value={})
         self.hs.config.admin_contact = "mailto:user@test.com"
 
@@ -95,14 +88,13 @@ class TestResourceLimitsServerNotices(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
     def test_maybe_send_server_notice_to_user_remove_blocked_notice(self):
         """Test when user has blocked notice, but should have it removed"""
 
-        self._rlsn._auth.check_auth_blocking = Mock()
+        self._rlsn._auth.check_auth_blocking = Mock(defer.succeed(None))
         mock_event = Mock(
             type=EventTypes.Message, content={"msgtype": ServerNoticeMsgType}
         )
         self._rlsn._store.get_events = Mock(
             return_value=defer.succeed({"123": mock_event})
         )
-
         self.get_success(self._rlsn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self.user_id))
         # Would be better to check the content, but once == remove blocking event
         self._send_notice.assert_called_once()
@@ -112,7 +104,7 @@ class TestResourceLimitsServerNotices(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         Test when user has blocked notice, but notice ought to be there (NOOP)
         """
         self._rlsn._auth.check_auth_blocking = Mock(
-            side_effect=ResourceLimitError(403, "foo")
+            return_value=defer.succeed(None), side_effect=ResourceLimitError(403, "foo")
         )
 
         mock_event = Mock(
@@ -121,6 +113,7 @@ class TestResourceLimitsServerNotices(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self._rlsn._store.get_events = Mock(
             return_value=defer.succeed({"123": mock_event})
         )
+
         self.get_success(self._rlsn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self.user_id))
 
         self._send_notice.assert_not_called()
@@ -129,9 +122,8 @@ class TestResourceLimitsServerNotices(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         """
         Test when user does not have blocked notice, but should have one
         """
-
         self._rlsn._auth.check_auth_blocking = Mock(
-            side_effect=ResourceLimitError(403, "foo")
+            return_value=defer.succeed(None), side_effect=ResourceLimitError(403, "foo")
         )
         self.get_success(self._rlsn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self.user_id))
 
@@ -142,7 +134,7 @@ class TestResourceLimitsServerNotices(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         """
         Test when user does not have blocked notice, nor should they (NOOP)
         """
-        self._rlsn._auth.check_auth_blocking = Mock()
+        self._rlsn._auth.check_auth_blocking = Mock(return_value=defer.succeed(None))
 
         self.get_success(self._rlsn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self.user_id))
 
@@ -153,7 +145,7 @@ class TestResourceLimitsServerNotices(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         Test when user is not part of the MAU cohort - this should not ever
         happen - but ...
         """
-        self._rlsn._auth.check_auth_blocking = Mock()
+        self._rlsn._auth.check_auth_blocking = Mock(return_value=defer.succeed(None))
         self._rlsn._store.user_last_seen_monthly_active = Mock(
             return_value=defer.succeed(None)
         )
@@ -167,24 +159,28 @@ class TestResourceLimitsServerNotices(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         an alert message is not sent into the room
         """
         self.hs.config.mau_limit_alerting = False
+
         self._rlsn._auth.check_auth_blocking = Mock(
+            return_value=defer.succeed(None),
             side_effect=ResourceLimitError(
                 403, "foo", limit_type=LimitBlockingTypes.MONTHLY_ACTIVE_USER
-            )
+            ),
         )
         self.get_success(self._rlsn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self.user_id))
 
-        self.assertTrue(self._send_notice.call_count == 0)
+        self.assertEqual(self._send_notice.call_count, 0)
 
     def test_check_hs_disabled_unaffected_by_mau_alert_suppression(self):
         """
         Test that when a server is disabled, that MAU limit alerting is ignored.
         """
         self.hs.config.mau_limit_alerting = False
+
         self._rlsn._auth.check_auth_blocking = Mock(
+            return_value=defer.succeed(None),
             side_effect=ResourceLimitError(
                 403, "foo", limit_type=LimitBlockingTypes.HS_DISABLED
-            )
+            ),
         )
         self.get_success(self._rlsn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self.user_id))
 
@@ -198,10 +194,12 @@ class TestResourceLimitsServerNotices(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         """
         self.hs.config.mau_limit_alerting = False
         self._rlsn._auth.check_auth_blocking = Mock(
+            return_value=defer.succeed(None),
             side_effect=ResourceLimitError(
                 403, "foo", limit_type=LimitBlockingTypes.MONTHLY_ACTIVE_USER
-            )
+            ),
         )
+
         self._rlsn._server_notices_manager.__is_room_currently_blocked = Mock(
             return_value=defer.succeed((True, []))
         )
@@ -256,7 +254,9 @@ class TestResourceLimitsServerNoticesWithRealRooms(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
     def test_server_notice_only_sent_once(self):
         self.store.get_monthly_active_count = Mock(return_value=1000)
 
-        self.store.user_last_seen_monthly_active = Mock(return_value=1000)
+        self.store.user_last_seen_monthly_active = Mock(
+            return_value=defer.succeed(1000)
+        )
 
         # Call the function multiple times to ensure we only send the notice once
         self.get_success(self._rlsn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self.user_id))
diff --git a/tests/test_federation.py b/tests/test_federation.py
index 9b5cf562f3..f297de95f1 100644
--- a/tests/test_federation.py
+++ b/tests/test_federation.py
@@ -27,8 +27,10 @@ class MessageAcceptTests(unittest.TestCase):
         user_id = UserID("us", "test")
         our_user = Requester(user_id, None, False, None, None)
         room_creator = self.homeserver.get_room_creation_handler()
-        room = room_creator.create_room(
-            our_user, room_creator.PRESETS_DICT["public_chat"], ratelimit=False
+        room = ensureDeferred(
+            room_creator.create_room(
+                our_user, room_creator.PRESETS_DICT["public_chat"], ratelimit=False
+            )
         )
         self.reactor.advance(0.1)
         self.room_id = self.successResultOf(room)["room_id"]