diff --git a/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py b/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
index f99935b4e..81e0a75e7 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class DeactivateAccountHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         self._user_parter_running = False
 
-        reactor.callWhenRunning(self.start_user_parting)
+        reactor.callWhenRunning(self._start_user_parting)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def deactivate_account(self, user_id):
@@ -60,14 +60,14 @@ class DeactivateAccountHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         yield self.store.add_user_pending_deactivation(user_id)
 
-        self.start_user_parting()
+        self._start_user_parting()
 
-    def start_user_parting(self):
+    def _start_user_parting(self):
         if not self._user_parter_running:
-            run_in_background(self.user_parter_loop())
+            run_in_background(self._user_parter_loop())
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def user_parter_loop(self):
+    def _user_parter_loop(self):
         self._user_parter_running = True
         logger.info("Starting user parter")
         try:
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ class DeactivateAccountHandler(BaseHandler):
                 if user_id is None:
                     break
                 logger.info("User parter parting %r", user_id)
-                yield self.part_user(user_id)
+                yield self._part_user(user_id)
                 yield self.store.del_user_pending_deactivation(user_id)
                 logger.info("User parter finished parting %r", user_id)
             logger.info("User parter finished: stopping")
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class DeactivateAccountHandler(BaseHandler):
             self._user_parter_running = False
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def part_user(self, user_id):
+    def _part_user(self, user_id):
         user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         rooms_for_user = yield self.store.get_rooms_for_user(user_id)