diff --git a/synapse/handlers/presence.py b/synapse/handlers/presence.py
index a01020e20..ce9dd6439 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/presence.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/presence.py
@@ -297,7 +297,26 @@ class PresenceHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         self.changed_presencelike_data(user, {"last_active": now})
 
+    def get_joined_rooms_for_user(self, user):
+        """Get the list of rooms a user is joined to.
+
+        Args:
+            user(UserID): The user.
+        Returns:
+            A Deferred of a list of room id strings.
+        """
+        rm_handler = self.homeserver.get_handlers().room_member_handler
+        return rm_handler.get_joined_rooms_for_user(user)
+
     def changed_presencelike_data(self, user, state):
+        """Updates the presence state of a local user.
+
+        Args:
+            user(UserID): The user being updated.
+            state(dict): The new presence state for the user.
+        Returns:
+            A Deferred
+        """
         statuscache = self._get_or_make_usercache(user)
 
         self._user_cachemap_latest_serial += 1
@@ -544,8 +563,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(BaseHandler):
 
             # Also include people in all my rooms
 
-            rm_handler = self.homeserver.get_handlers().room_member_handler
-            room_ids = yield rm_handler.get_joined_rooms_for_user(user)
+            room_ids = yield self.get_joined_rooms_for_user(user)
 
         if state is None:
             state = yield self.store.get_presence_state(user.localpart)
@@ -745,8 +763,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(BaseHandler):
         # and also user is informed of server-forced pushes
         localusers.add(user)
 
-        rm_handler = self.homeserver.get_handlers().room_member_handler
-        room_ids = yield rm_handler.get_joined_rooms_for_user(user)
+        room_ids = yield self.get_joined_rooms_for_user(user)
 
         if not localusers and not room_ids:
             defer.returnValue(None)
@@ -791,8 +808,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(BaseHandler):
                     " | %d interested local observers %r", len(observers), observers
                 )
 
-            rm_handler = self.homeserver.get_handlers().room_member_handler
-            room_ids = yield rm_handler.get_joined_rooms_for_user(user)
+            room_ids = yield self.get_joined_rooms_for_user(user)
             if room_ids:
                 logger.debug(" | %d interested room IDs %r", len(room_ids), room_ids)