diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 2ed22b1cd..3899c5a25 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -35,3 +35,9 @@ uploads
 
 .idea/
 media_store/
+
+*.tac
+
+build/
+
+localhost-800*/
diff --git a/synapse/api/auth.py b/synapse/api/auth.py
index e31482cfa..a342a0e0d 100644
--- a/synapse/api/auth.py
+++ b/synapse/api/auth.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership, JoinRules
 from synapse.api.errors import AuthError, StoreError, Codes, SynapseError
 from synapse.util.logutils import log_function
 from synapse.util.async import run_on_reactor
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 import logging
 
@@ -104,7 +105,7 @@ class Auth(object):
         for event in curr_state:
             if event.type == EventTypes.Member:
                 try:
-                    if self.hs.parse_userid(event.state_key).domain != host:
+                    if UserID.from_string(event.state_key).domain != host:
                         continue
                 except:
                     logger.warn("state_key not user_id: %s", event.state_key)
@@ -337,7 +338,7 @@ class Auth(object):
             user_info = {
                 "admin": bool(ret.get("admin", False)),
                 "device_id": ret.get("device_id"),
-                "user": self.hs.parse_userid(ret.get("name")),
+                "user": UserID.from_string(ret.get("name")),
             }
 
             defer.returnValue(user_info)
@@ -461,7 +462,7 @@ class Auth(object):
                             "You are not allowed to set others state"
                         )
                     else:
-                        sender_domain = self.hs.parse_userid(
+                        sender_domain = UserID.from_string(
                             event.user_id
                         ).domain
 
@@ -496,7 +497,7 @@ class Auth(object):
         # Validate users
         for k, v in user_list.items():
             try:
-                self.hs.parse_userid(k)
+                UserID.from_string(k)
             except:
                 raise SynapseError(400, "Not a valid user_id: %s" % (k,))
 
diff --git a/synapse/api/urls.py b/synapse/api/urls.py
index a29939204..693c0efda 100644
--- a/synapse/api/urls.py
+++ b/synapse/api/urls.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 """Contains the URL paths to prefix various aspects of the server with. """
 
 CLIENT_PREFIX = "/_matrix/client/api/v1"
+CLIENT_V2_ALPHA_PREFIX = "/_matrix/client/v2_alpha"
 FEDERATION_PREFIX = "/_matrix/federation/v1"
 WEB_CLIENT_PREFIX = "/_matrix/client"
 CONTENT_REPO_PREFIX = "/_matrix/content"
diff --git a/synapse/app/homeserver.py b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
index 6ebf1f0de..f20ccfb5b 100755
--- a/synapse/app/homeserver.py
+++ b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
@@ -32,11 +32,13 @@ from synapse.http.server_key_resource import LocalKey
 from synapse.http.matrixfederationclient import MatrixFederationHttpClient
 from synapse.api.urls import (
     CLIENT_PREFIX, FEDERATION_PREFIX, WEB_CLIENT_PREFIX, CONTENT_REPO_PREFIX,
-    SERVER_KEY_PREFIX, MEDIA_PREFIX
+    SERVER_KEY_PREFIX, MEDIA_PREFIX, CLIENT_V2_ALPHA_PREFIX,
 )
 from synapse.config.homeserver import HomeServerConfig
 from synapse.crypto import context_factory
 from synapse.util.logcontext import LoggingContext
+from synapse.rest.client.v1 import ClientV1RestResource
+from synapse.rest.client.v2_alpha import ClientV2AlphaRestResource
 
 from daemonize import Daemonize
 import twisted.manhole.telnet
@@ -59,7 +61,10 @@ class SynapseHomeServer(HomeServer):
         return MatrixFederationHttpClient(self)
 
     def build_resource_for_client(self):
-        return JsonResource()
+        return ClientV1RestResource(self)
+
+    def build_resource_for_client_v2_alpha(self):
+        return ClientV2AlphaRestResource(self)
 
     def build_resource_for_federation(self):
         return JsonResource()
@@ -104,6 +109,7 @@ class SynapseHomeServer(HomeServer):
         # [ ("/aaa/bbb/cc", Resource1), ("/aaa/dummy", Resource2) ]
         desired_tree = [
             (CLIENT_PREFIX, self.get_resource_for_client()),
+            (CLIENT_V2_ALPHA_PREFIX, self.get_resource_for_client_v2_alpha()),
             (FEDERATION_PREFIX, self.get_resource_for_federation()),
             (CONTENT_REPO_PREFIX, self.get_resource_for_content_repo()),
             (SERVER_KEY_PREFIX, self.get_resource_for_server_key()),
@@ -224,8 +230,6 @@ def setup():
         content_addr=config.content_addr,
     )
 
-    hs.register_servlets()
-
     hs.create_resource_tree(
         web_client=config.webclient,
         redirect_root_to_web_client=True,
diff --git a/synapse/events/utils.py b/synapse/events/utils.py
index bcb545727..e391aca4c 100644
--- a/synapse/events/utils.py
+++ b/synapse/events/utils.py
@@ -89,31 +89,31 @@ def prune_event(event):
     return type(event)(allowed_fields)
 
 
-def serialize_event(hs, e, client_event=True):
+def serialize_event(e, time_now_ms, client_event=True):
     # FIXME(erikj): To handle the case of presence events and the like
     if not isinstance(e, EventBase):
         return e
 
+    time_now_ms = int(time_now_ms)
+
     # Should this strip out None's?
     d = {k: v for k, v in e.get_dict().items()}
 
     if not client_event:
         # set the age and keep all other keys
         if "age_ts" in d["unsigned"]:
-            now = int(hs.get_clock().time_msec())
-            d["unsigned"]["age"] = now - d["unsigned"]["age_ts"]
+            d["unsigned"]["age"] = time_now_ms - d["unsigned"]["age_ts"]
         return d
 
     if "age_ts" in d["unsigned"]:
-        now = int(hs.get_clock().time_msec())
-        d["age"] = now - d["unsigned"]["age_ts"]
+        d["age"] = time_now_ms - d["unsigned"]["age_ts"]
         del d["unsigned"]["age_ts"]
 
     d["user_id"] = d.pop("sender", None)
 
     if "redacted_because" in e.unsigned:
         d["redacted_because"] = serialize_event(
-            hs, e.unsigned["redacted_because"]
+            e.unsigned["redacted_because"], time_now_ms
         )
 
         del d["unsigned"]["redacted_because"]
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/_base.py b/synapse/handlers/_base.py
index f33d17a31..1773fa20a 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/_base.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from synapse.api.errors import LimitExceededError, SynapseError
 from synapse.util.async import run_on_reactor
 from synapse.crypto.event_signing import add_hashes_and_signatures
 from synapse.api.constants import Membership, EventTypes
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 import logging
 
@@ -113,7 +114,7 @@ class BaseHandler(object):
 
         if event.type == EventTypes.Member:
             if event.content["membership"] == Membership.INVITE:
-                invitee = self.hs.parse_userid(event.state_key)
+                invitee = UserID.from_string(event.state_key)
                 if not self.hs.is_mine(invitee):
                     # TODO: Can we add signature from remote server in a nicer
                     # way? If we have been invited by a remote server, we need
@@ -134,7 +135,7 @@ class BaseHandler(object):
                 if k[0] == EventTypes.Member:
                     if s.content["membership"] == Membership.JOIN:
                         destinations.add(
-                            self.hs.parse_userid(s.state_key).domain
+                            UserID.from_string(s.state_key).domain
                         )
             except SynapseError:
                 logger.warn(
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/directory.py b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
index 91fceda2a..58e9a9156 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/directory.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from ._base import BaseHandler
 
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError, Codes, CodeMessageException
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes
+from synapse.types import RoomAlias
 
 import logging
 
@@ -122,7 +123,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_directory_query(self, args):
-        room_alias = self.hs.parse_roomalias(args["room_alias"])
+        room_alias = RoomAlias.from_string(args["room_alias"])
         if not self.hs.is_mine(room_alias):
             raise SynapseError(
                 400, "Room Alias is not hosted on this Home Server"
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/events.py b/synapse/handlers/events.py
index 52ef07eaa..025e7e7e6 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/events.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/events.py
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.util.logcontext import PreserveLoggingContext
 from synapse.util.logutils import log_function
+from synapse.types import UserID
+from synapse.events.utils import serialize_event
 
 from ._base import BaseHandler
 
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ class EventStreamHandler(BaseHandler):
     @log_function
     def get_stream(self, auth_user_id, pagin_config, timeout=0,
                    as_client_event=True, affect_presence=True):
-        auth_user = self.hs.parse_userid(auth_user_id)
+        auth_user = UserID.from_string(auth_user_id)
 
         try:
             if affect_presence:
@@ -78,8 +80,10 @@ class EventStreamHandler(BaseHandler):
                     auth_user, room_ids, pagin_config, timeout
                 )
 
+            time_now = self.clock.time_msec()
+
             chunks = [
-                self.hs.serialize_event(e, as_client_event) for e in events
+                serialize_event(e, time_now, as_client_event) for e in events
             ]
 
             chunk = {
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/federation.py b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
index 81203bf1a..bcdcc90a1 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/federation.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from synapse.crypto.event_signing import (
     compute_event_signature, check_event_content_hash,
     add_hashes_and_signatures,
 )
+from synapse.types import UserID
 from syutil.jsonutil import encode_canonical_json
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
@@ -227,7 +228,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             extra_users = []
             if event.type == EventTypes.Member:
                 target_user_id = event.state_key
-                target_user = self.hs.parse_userid(target_user_id)
+                target_user = UserID.from_string(target_user_id)
                 extra_users.append(target_user)
 
             yield self.notifier.on_new_room_event(
@@ -236,7 +237,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         if event.type == EventTypes.Member:
             if event.membership == Membership.JOIN:
-                user = self.hs.parse_userid(event.state_key)
+                user = UserID.from_string(event.state_key)
                 yield self.distributor.fire(
                     "user_joined_room", user=user, room_id=event.room_id
                 )
@@ -491,7 +492,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         extra_users = []
         if event.type == EventTypes.Member:
             target_user_id = event.state_key
-            target_user = self.hs.parse_userid(target_user_id)
+            target_user = UserID.from_string(target_user_id)
             extra_users.append(target_user)
 
         yield self.notifier.on_new_room_event(
@@ -500,7 +501,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         if event.type == EventTypes.Member:
             if event.content["membership"] == Membership.JOIN:
-                user = self.hs.parse_userid(event.state_key)
+                user = UserID.from_string(event.state_key)
                 yield self.distributor.fire(
                     "user_joined_room", user=user, room_id=event.room_id
                 )
@@ -514,7 +515,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 if k[0] == EventTypes.Member:
                     if s.content["membership"] == Membership.JOIN:
                         destinations.add(
-                            self.hs.parse_userid(s.state_key).domain
+                            UserID.from_string(s.state_key).domain
                         )
             except:
                 logger.warn(
@@ -565,7 +566,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             backfilled=False,
         )
 
-        target_user = self.hs.parse_userid(event.state_key)
+        target_user = UserID.from_string(event.state_key)
         yield self.notifier.on_new_room_event(
             event, extra_users=[target_user],
         )
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
index f2a2f1693..9c3271fe8 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -18,8 +18,10 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.api.errors import RoomError
 from synapse.streams.config import PaginationConfig
+from synapse.events.utils import serialize_event
 from synapse.events.validator import EventValidator
 from synapse.util.logcontext import PreserveLoggingContext
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 from ._base import BaseHandler
 
@@ -89,7 +91,7 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
                 yield self.hs.get_event_sources().get_current_token()
             )
 
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         events, next_key = yield data_source.get_pagination_rows(
             user, pagin_config.get_source_config("room"), room_id
@@ -99,9 +101,11 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
             "room_key", next_key
         )
 
+        time_now = self.clock.time_msec()
+
         chunk = {
             "chunk": [
-                self.hs.serialize_event(e, as_client_event) for e in events
+                serialize_event(e, time_now, as_client_event) for e in events
             ],
             "start": pagin_config.from_token.to_string(),
             "end": next_token.to_string(),
@@ -130,13 +134,13 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
         if ratelimit:
             self.ratelimit(builder.user_id)
         # TODO(paul): Why does 'event' not have a 'user' object?
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(builder.user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(builder.user_id)
         assert self.hs.is_mine(user), "User must be our own: %s" % (user,)
 
         if builder.type == EventTypes.Member:
             membership = builder.content.get("membership", None)
             if membership == Membership.JOIN:
-                joinee = self.hs.parse_userid(builder.state_key)
+                joinee = UserID.from_string(builder.state_key)
                 # If event doesn't include a display name, add one.
                 yield self.distributor.fire(
                     "collect_presencelike_data",
@@ -210,7 +214,8 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         # TODO: This is duplicating logic from snapshot_all_rooms
         current_state = yield self.state_handler.get_current_state(room_id)
-        defer.returnValue([self.hs.serialize_event(c) for c in current_state])
+        now = self.clock.time_msec()
+        defer.returnValue([serialize_event(c, now) for c in current_state])
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def snapshot_all_rooms(self, user_id=None, pagin_config=None,
@@ -237,7 +242,7 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
             membership_list=[Membership.INVITE, Membership.JOIN]
         )
 
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         rooms_ret = []
 
@@ -282,10 +287,11 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
 
                 start_token = now_token.copy_and_replace("room_key", token[0])
                 end_token = now_token.copy_and_replace("room_key", token[1])
+                time_now = self.clock.time_msec()
 
                 d["messages"] = {
                     "chunk": [
-                        self.hs.serialize_event(m, as_client_event)
+                        serialize_event(m, time_now, as_client_event)
                         for m in messages
                     ],
                     "start": start_token.to_string(),
@@ -296,7 +302,8 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
                     event.room_id
                 )
                 d["state"] = [
-                    self.hs.serialize_event(c) for c in current_state
+                    serialize_event(c, time_now, as_client_event)
+                    for c in current_state
                 ]
             except:
                 logger.exception("Failed to get snapshot")
@@ -316,11 +323,12 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         # TODO(paul): I wish I was called with user objects not user_id
         #   strings...
-        auth_user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        auth_user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         # TODO: These concurrently
+        time_now = self.clock.time_msec()
         state_tuples = yield self.state_handler.get_current_state(room_id)
-        state = [self.hs.serialize_event(x) for x in state_tuples]
+        state = [serialize_event(x, time_now) for x in state_tuples]
 
         member_event = (yield self.store.get_room_member(
             user_id=user_id,
@@ -349,7 +357,7 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
         for m in room_members:
             try:
                 member_presence = yield presence_handler.get_state(
-                    target_user=self.hs.parse_userid(m.user_id),
+                    target_user=UserID.from_string(m.user_id),
                     auth_user=auth_user,
                     as_event=True,
                 )
@@ -359,11 +367,13 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
                     "Failed to get member presence of %r", m.user_id
                 )
 
+        time_now = self.clock.time_msec()
+
         defer.returnValue({
             "membership": member_event.membership,
             "room_id": room_id,
             "messages": {
-                "chunk": [self.hs.serialize_event(m) for m in messages],
+                "chunk": [serialize_event(m, time_now) for m in messages],
                 "start": start_token.to_string(),
                 "end": end_token.to_string(),
             },
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/presence.py b/synapse/handlers/presence.py
index 24d901b51..cd0798c2b 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/presence.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/presence.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from synapse.api.constants import PresenceState
 
 from synapse.util.logutils import log_function
 from synapse.util.logcontext import PreserveLoggingContext
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 from ._base import BaseHandler
 
@@ -100,22 +101,22 @@ class PresenceHandler(BaseHandler):
         self.federation.register_edu_handler(
             "m.presence_invite",
             lambda origin, content: self.invite_presence(
-                observed_user=hs.parse_userid(content["observed_user"]),
-                observer_user=hs.parse_userid(content["observer_user"]),
+                observed_user=UserID.from_string(content["observed_user"]),
+                observer_user=UserID.from_string(content["observer_user"]),
             )
         )
         self.federation.register_edu_handler(
             "m.presence_accept",
             lambda origin, content: self.accept_presence(
-                observed_user=hs.parse_userid(content["observed_user"]),
-                observer_user=hs.parse_userid(content["observer_user"]),
+                observed_user=UserID.from_string(content["observed_user"]),
+                observer_user=UserID.from_string(content["observer_user"]),
             )
         )
         self.federation.register_edu_handler(
             "m.presence_deny",
             lambda origin, content: self.deny_presence(
-                observed_user=hs.parse_userid(content["observed_user"]),
-                observer_user=hs.parse_userid(content["observer_user"]),
+                observed_user=UserID.from_string(content["observed_user"]),
+                observer_user=UserID.from_string(content["observer_user"]),
             )
         )
 
@@ -422,7 +423,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(BaseHandler):
         )
 
         for p in presence:
-            observed_user = self.hs.parse_userid(p.pop("observed_user_id"))
+            observed_user = UserID.from_string(p.pop("observed_user_id"))
             p["observed_user"] = observed_user
             p.update(self._get_or_offline_usercache(observed_user).get_state())
             if "last_active" in p:
@@ -445,7 +446,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(BaseHandler):
                 user.localpart, accepted=True
             )
             target_users = set([
-                self.hs.parse_userid(x["observed_user_id"]) for x in presence
+                UserID.from_string(x["observed_user_id"]) for x in presence
             ])
 
             # Also include people in all my rooms
@@ -651,7 +652,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(BaseHandler):
         deferreds = []
 
         for push in content.get("push", []):
-            user = self.hs.parse_userid(push["user_id"])
+            user = UserID.from_string(push["user_id"])
 
             logger.debug("Incoming presence update from %s", user)
 
@@ -699,7 +700,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(BaseHandler):
                 del self._user_cachemap[user]
 
         for poll in content.get("poll", []):
-            user = self.hs.parse_userid(poll)
+            user = UserID.from_string(poll)
 
             if not self.hs.is_mine(user):
                 continue
@@ -714,7 +715,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(BaseHandler):
             deferreds.append(self._push_presence_remote(user, origin))
 
         for unpoll in content.get("unpoll", []):
-            user = self.hs.parse_userid(unpoll)
+            user = UserID.from_string(unpoll)
 
             if not self.hs.is_mine(user):
                 continue
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/profile.py b/synapse/handlers/profile.py
index 7777d3cc9..03b2159c5 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/profile.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/profile.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError, AuthError, CodeMessageException
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.util.logcontext import PreserveLoggingContext
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 from ._base import BaseHandler
 
@@ -169,7 +170,7 @@ class ProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_profile_query(self, args):
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(args["user_id"])
+        user = UserID.from_string(args["user_id"])
         if not self.hs.is_mine(user):
             raise SynapseError(400, "User is not hosted on this Home Server")
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room.py b/synapse/handlers/room.py
index 6d0db18e5..23821d321 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room.py
@@ -16,12 +16,14 @@
 """Contains functions for performing events on rooms."""
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
+from ._base import BaseHandler
+
 from synapse.types import UserID, RoomAlias, RoomID
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership, JoinRules
 from synapse.api.errors import StoreError, SynapseError
 from synapse.util import stringutils
 from synapse.util.async import run_on_reactor
-from ._base import BaseHandler
+from synapse.events.utils import serialize_event
 
 import logging
 
@@ -64,7 +66,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         invite_list = config.get("invite", [])
         for i in invite_list:
             try:
-                self.hs.parse_userid(i)
+                UserID.from_string(i)
             except:
                 raise SynapseError(400, "Invalid user_id: %s" % (i,))
 
@@ -114,7 +116,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 servers=[self.hs.hostname],
             )
 
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
         creation_events = self._create_events_for_new_room(
             user, room_id, is_public=is_public
         )
@@ -246,11 +248,9 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(BaseHandler):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_room_members(self, room_id):
-        hs = self.hs
-
         users = yield self.store.get_users_in_room(room_id)
 
-        defer.returnValue([hs.parse_userid(u) for u in users])
+        defer.returnValue([UserID.from_string(u) for u in users])
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def fetch_room_distributions_into(self, room_id, localusers=None,
@@ -295,8 +295,9 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(BaseHandler):
         yield self.auth.check_joined_room(room_id, user_id)
 
         member_list = yield self.store.get_room_members(room_id=room_id)
+        time_now = self.clock.time_msec()
         event_list = [
-            self.hs.serialize_event(entry)
+            serialize_event(entry, time_now)
             for entry in member_list
         ]
         chunk_data = {
@@ -368,7 +369,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
 
             if prev_state and prev_state.membership == Membership.JOIN:
-                user = self.hs.parse_userid(event.user_id)
+                user = UserID.from_string(event.user_id)
                 self.distributor.fire(
                     "user_left_room", user=user, room_id=event.room_id
                 )
@@ -412,7 +413,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(BaseHandler):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _do_join(self, event, context, room_host=None, do_auth=True):
-        joinee = self.hs.parse_userid(event.state_key)
+        joinee = UserID.from_string(event.state_key)
         # room_id = RoomID.from_string(event.room_id, self.hs)
         room_id = event.room_id
 
@@ -476,7 +477,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(BaseHandler):
                 do_auth=do_auth,
             )
 
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(event.user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(event.user_id)
         yield self.distributor.fire(
             "user_joined_room", user=user, room_id=room_id
         )
@@ -526,7 +527,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(BaseHandler):
                                     do_auth):
         yield run_on_reactor()
 
-        target_user = self.hs.parse_userid(event.state_key)
+        target_user = UserID.from_string(event.state_key)
 
         yield self.handle_new_client_event(
             event,
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/typing.py b/synapse/handlers/typing.py
index cd9638dd0..c69787005 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/typing.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/typing.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 from ._base import BaseHandler
 
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError, AuthError
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 import logging
 
@@ -185,7 +186,7 @@ class TypingNotificationHandler(BaseHandler):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _recv_edu(self, origin, content):
         room_id = content["room_id"]
-        user = self.homeserver.parse_userid(content["user_id"])
+        user = UserID.from_string(content["user_id"])
 
         localusers = set()
 
diff --git a/synapse/http/servlet.py b/synapse/http/servlet.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a4eb6c817
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/http/servlet.py
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2014, 2015 OpenMarket Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# 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.
+
+""" This module contains base REST classes for constructing REST servlets. """
+
+from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
+
+import logging
+
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class RestServlet(object):
+
+    """ A Synapse REST Servlet.
+
+    An implementing class can either provide its own custom 'register' method,
+    or use the automatic pattern handling provided by the base class.
+
+    To use this latter, the implementing class instead provides a `PATTERN`
+    class attribute containing a pre-compiled regular expression. The automatic
+    register method will then use this method to register any of the following
+    instance methods associated with the corresponding HTTP method:
+
+      on_GET
+      on_PUT
+      on_POST
+      on_DELETE
+      on_OPTIONS
+
+    Automatically handles turning CodeMessageExceptions thrown by these methods
+    into the appropriate HTTP response.
+    """
+
+    def register(self, http_server):
+        """ Register this servlet with the given HTTP server. """
+        if hasattr(self, "PATTERN"):
+            pattern = self.PATTERN
+
+            for method in ("GET", "PUT", "POST", "OPTIONS", "DELETE"):
+                if hasattr(self, "on_%s" % (method)):
+                    method_handler = getattr(self, "on_%s" % (method))
+                    http_server.register_path(method, pattern, method_handler)
+        else:
+            raise NotImplementedError("RestServlet must register something.")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def parse_integer(request, name, default=None, required=False):
+        if name in request.args:
+            try:
+                return int(request.args[name][0])
+            except:
+                message = "Query parameter %r must be an integer" % (name,)
+                raise SynapseError(400, message)
+        else:
+            if required:
+                message = "Missing integer query parameter %r" % (name,)
+                raise SynapseError(400, message)
+            else:
+                return default
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def parse_boolean(request, name, default=None, required=False):
+        if name in request.args:
+            try:
+                return {
+                    "true": True,
+                    "false": False,
+                }[request.args[name][0]]
+            except:
+                message = (
+                    "Boolean query parameter %r must be one of"
+                    " ['true', 'false']"
+                ) % (name,)
+                raise SynapseError(400, message)
+        else:
+            if required:
+                message = "Missing boolean query parameter %r" % (name,)
+                raise SynapseError(400, message)
+            else:
+                return default
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def parse_string(request, name, default=None, required=False,
+                     allowed_values=None, param_type="string"):
+        if name in request.args:
+            value = request.args[name][0]
+            if allowed_values is not None and value not in allowed_values:
+                message = "Query parameter %r must be one of [%s]" % (
+                    name, ", ".join(repr(v) for v in allowed_values)
+                )
+                raise SynapseError(message)
+            else:
+                return value
+        else:
+            if required:
+                message = "Missing %s query parameter %r" % (param_type, name)
+                raise SynapseError(400, message)
+            else:
+                return default
diff --git a/synapse/python_dependencies.py b/synapse/python_dependencies.py
index b1fae991e..4182ad990 100644
--- a/synapse/python_dependencies.py
+++ b/synapse/python_dependencies.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 REQUIREMENTS = {
     "syutil==0.0.2": ["syutil"],
-    "matrix_angular_sdk==0.6.0": ["syweb==0.6.0"],
+    "matrix_angular_sdk==0.6.0": ["syweb>=0.6.0"],
     "Twisted>=14.0.0": ["twisted>=14.0.0"],
     "service_identity>=1.0.0": ["service_identity>=1.0.0"],
     "pyopenssl>=0.14": ["OpenSSL>=0.14"],
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/__init__.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/__init__.py
index 8e5877cf3..96a9a474f 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/__init__.py
@@ -19,22 +19,18 @@ from . import (
     voip, admin, pusher, push_rule
 )
 
+from synapse.http.server import JsonResource
 
-class RestServletFactory(object):
 
-    """ A factory for creating REST servlets.
-
-    These REST servlets represent the entire client-server REST API. Generally
-    speaking, they serve as wrappers around events and the handlers that
-    process them.
-
-    See synapse.events for information on synapse events.
-    """
+class ClientV1RestResource(JsonResource):
+    """A resource for version 1 of the matrix client API."""
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
-        client_resource = hs.get_resource_for_client()
+        JsonResource.__init__(self)
+        self.register_servlets(self, hs)
 
-        # TODO(erikj): There *must* be a better way of doing this.
+    @staticmethod
+    def register_servlets(client_resource, hs):
         room.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         events.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         register.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py
index 0aa83514c..1051d96f9 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py
@@ -16,19 +16,21 @@
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import AuthError, SynapseError
-from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from synapse.types import UserID
+
+from base import ClientV1RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 
 import logging
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-class WhoisRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class WhoisRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/admin/whois/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, user_id):
-        target_user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        target_user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
         auth_user = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
         is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(auth_user)
 
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/base.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/base.py
index d005206b7..72332bdb1 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/base.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/base.py
@@ -13,7 +13,10 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-""" This module contains base REST classes for constructing REST servlets. """
+"""This module contains base REST classes for constructing client v1 servlets.
+"""
+
+from synapse.http.servlet import RestServlet
 from synapse.api.urls import CLIENT_PREFIX
 from .transactions import HttpTransactionStore
 import re
@@ -37,44 +40,13 @@ def client_path_pattern(path_regex):
     return re.compile("^" + CLIENT_PREFIX + path_regex)
 
 
-class RestServlet(object):
-
-    """ A Synapse REST Servlet.
-
-    An implementing class can either provide its own custom 'register' method,
-    or use the automatic pattern handling provided by the base class.
-
-    To use this latter, the implementing class instead provides a `PATTERN`
-    class attribute containing a pre-compiled regular expression. The automatic
-    register method will then use this method to register any of the following
-    instance methods associated with the corresponding HTTP method:
-
-      on_GET
-      on_PUT
-      on_POST
-      on_DELETE
-      on_OPTIONS
-
-    Automatically handles turning CodeMessageExceptions thrown by these methods
-    into the appropriate HTTP response.
+class ClientV1RestServlet(RestServlet):
+    """A base Synapse REST Servlet for the client version 1 API.
     """
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
         self.hs = hs
-
         self.handlers = hs.get_handlers()
         self.builder_factory = hs.get_event_builder_factory()
         self.auth = hs.get_auth()
         self.txns = HttpTransactionStore()
-
-    def register(self, http_server):
-        """ Register this servlet with the given HTTP server. """
-        if hasattr(self, "PATTERN"):
-            pattern = self.PATTERN
-
-            for method in ("GET", "PUT", "POST", "OPTIONS", "DELETE"):
-                if hasattr(self, "on_%s" % (method)):
-                    method_handler = getattr(self, "on_%s" % (method))
-                    http_server.register_path(method, pattern, method_handler)
-        else:
-            raise NotImplementedError("RestServlet must register something.")
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/directory.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/directory.py
index 7ff44fdd9..15ae8749b 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/directory.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/directory.py
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import AuthError, SynapseError, Codes
-from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from synapse.types import RoomAlias
+from .base import ClientV1RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 
 import json
 import logging
@@ -30,12 +31,12 @@ def register_servlets(hs, http_server):
     ClientDirectoryServer(hs).register(http_server)
 
 
-class ClientDirectoryServer(RestServlet):
+class ClientDirectoryServer(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/directory/room/(?P<room_alias>[^/]*)$")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, room_alias):
-        room_alias = self.hs.parse_roomalias(room_alias)
+        room_alias = RoomAlias.from_string(room_alias)
 
         dir_handler = self.handlers.directory_handler
         res = yield dir_handler.get_association(room_alias)
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ class ClientDirectoryServer(RestServlet):
 
         logger.debug("Got content: %s", content)
 
-        room_alias = self.hs.parse_roomalias(room_alias)
+        room_alias = RoomAlias.from_string(room_alias)
 
         logger.debug("Got room name: %s", room_alias.to_string())
 
@@ -92,7 +93,7 @@ class ClientDirectoryServer(RestServlet):
 
         dir_handler = self.handlers.directory_handler
 
-        room_alias = self.hs.parse_roomalias(room_alias)
+        room_alias = RoomAlias.from_string(room_alias)
 
         yield dir_handler.delete_association(
             user.to_string(), room_alias
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/events.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/events.py
index c2515528a..a0d051227 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/events.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/events.py
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 from synapse.streams.config import PaginationConfig
-from .base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from .base import ClientV1RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from synapse.events.utils import serialize_event
 
 import logging
 
@@ -26,7 +27,7 @@ import logging
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-class EventStreamRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class EventStreamRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/events$")
 
     DEFAULT_LONGPOLL_TIME_MS = 30000
@@ -61,17 +62,22 @@ class EventStreamRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
 
 # TODO: Unit test gets, with and without auth, with different kinds of events.
-class EventRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class EventRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/events/(?P<event_id>[^/]*)$")
 
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        super(EventRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
+        self.clock = hs.get_clock()
+
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, event_id):
         auth_user = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
         handler = self.handlers.event_handler
         event = yield handler.get_event(auth_user, event_id)
 
+        time_now = self.clock.time_msec()
         if event:
-            defer.returnValue((200, self.hs.serialize_event(event)))
+            defer.returnValue((200, serialize_event(event, time_now)))
         else:
             defer.returnValue((404, "Event not found."))
 
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/initial_sync.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/initial_sync.py
index b13d56b28..357fa845b 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/initial_sync.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/initial_sync.py
@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.streams.config import PaginationConfig
-from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from base import ClientV1RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 
 
 # TODO: Needs unit testing
-class InitialSyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class InitialSyncRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/initialSync$")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/login.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/login.py
index 6b8deff67..7116ac98e 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/login.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/login.py
@@ -17,12 +17,12 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 from synapse.types import UserID
-from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from base import ClientV1RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 
 import json
 
 
-class LoginRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class LoginRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/login$")
     PASS_TYPE = "m.login.password"
 
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class LoginRestServlet(RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, result))
 
 
-class LoginFallbackRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class LoginFallbackRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/login/fallback$")
 
     def on_GET(self, request):
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class LoginFallbackRestServlet(RestServlet):
         return (200, {})
 
 
-class PasswordResetRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class PasswordResetRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/login/reset")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/presence.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/presence.py
index ca4d2d21f..b6c207e66 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/presence.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/presence.py
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
-from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from synapse.types import UserID
+from .base import ClientV1RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 
 import json
 import logging
@@ -26,13 +27,13 @@ import logging
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-class PresenceStatusRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class PresenceStatusRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/presence/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)/status")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, user_id):
         auth_user = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         state = yield self.handlers.presence_handler.get_state(
             target_user=user, auth_user=auth_user)
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ class PresenceStatusRestServlet(RestServlet):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_PUT(self, request, user_id):
         auth_user = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         state = {}
         try:
@@ -71,13 +72,13 @@ class PresenceStatusRestServlet(RestServlet):
         return (200, {})
 
 
-class PresenceListRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class PresenceListRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/presence/list/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, user_id):
         auth_user = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         if not self.hs.is_mine(user):
             raise SynapseError(400, "User not hosted on this Home Server")
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ class PresenceListRestServlet(RestServlet):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_POST(self, request, user_id):
         auth_user = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         if not self.hs.is_mine(user):
             raise SynapseError(400, "User not hosted on this Home Server")
@@ -118,7 +119,7 @@ class PresenceListRestServlet(RestServlet):
                     raise SynapseError(400, "Bad invite value.")
                 if len(u) == 0:
                     continue
-                invited_user = self.hs.parse_userid(u)
+                invited_user = UserID.from_string(u)
                 yield self.handlers.presence_handler.send_invite(
                     observer_user=user, observed_user=invited_user
                 )
@@ -129,7 +130,7 @@ class PresenceListRestServlet(RestServlet):
                     raise SynapseError(400, "Bad drop value.")
                 if len(u) == 0:
                     continue
-                dropped_user = self.hs.parse_userid(u)
+                dropped_user = UserID.from_string(u)
                 yield self.handlers.presence_handler.drop(
                     observer_user=user, observed_user=dropped_user
                 )
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/profile.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/profile.py
index dc6eb424b..24f8d5695 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/profile.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/profile.py
@@ -16,17 +16,18 @@
 """ This module contains REST servlets to do with profile: /profile/<paths> """
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
-from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from .base import ClientV1RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 import json
 
 
-class ProfileDisplaynameRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class ProfileDisplaynameRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/profile/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)/displayname")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, user_id):
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         displayname = yield self.handlers.profile_handler.get_displayname(
             user,
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ class ProfileDisplaynameRestServlet(RestServlet):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_PUT(self, request, user_id):
         auth_user = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         try:
             content = json.loads(request.content.read())
@@ -54,12 +55,12 @@ class ProfileDisplaynameRestServlet(RestServlet):
         return (200, {})
 
 
-class ProfileAvatarURLRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class ProfileAvatarURLRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/profile/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)/avatar_url")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, user_id):
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         avatar_url = yield self.handlers.profile_handler.get_avatar_url(
             user,
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ class ProfileAvatarURLRestServlet(RestServlet):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_PUT(self, request, user_id):
         auth_user = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         try:
             content = json.loads(request.content.read())
@@ -87,12 +88,12 @@ class ProfileAvatarURLRestServlet(RestServlet):
         return (200, {})
 
 
-class ProfileRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class ProfileRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/profile/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, user_id):
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         displayname = yield self.handlers.profile_handler.get_displayname(
             user,
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/register.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/register.py
index e3b26902d..c0423c2d4 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/register.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/register.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError, Codes
 from synapse.api.constants import LoginType
-from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from base import ClientV1RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 import synapse.util.stringutils as stringutils
 
 from synapse.util.async import run_on_reactor
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ else:
     compare_digest = lambda a, b: a == b
 
 
-class RegisterRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class RegisterRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     """Handles registration with the home server.
 
     This servlet is in control of the registration flow; the registration
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/room.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/room.py
index 48bba2a5f..58b09b6fc 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/room.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/room.py
@@ -16,10 +16,12 @@
 """ This module contains REST servlets to do with rooms: /rooms/<paths> """
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
-from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from base import ClientV1RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError, Codes
 from synapse.streams.config import PaginationConfig
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
+from synapse.types import UserID, RoomID, RoomAlias
+from synapse.events.utils import serialize_event
 
 import json
 import logging
@@ -29,7 +31,7 @@ import urllib
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-class RoomCreateRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class RoomCreateRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     # No PATTERN; we have custom dispatch rules here
 
     def register(self, http_server):
@@ -93,7 +95,7 @@ class RoomCreateRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
 
 # TODO: Needs unit testing for generic events
-class RoomStateEventRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class RoomStateEventRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     def register(self, http_server):
         # /room/$roomid/state/$eventtype
         no_state_key = "/rooms/(?P<room_id>[^/]*)/state/(?P<event_type>[^/]*)$"
@@ -162,7 +164,7 @@ class RoomStateEventRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
 
 # TODO: Needs unit testing for generic events + feedback
-class RoomSendEventRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class RoomSendEventRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
 
     def register(self, http_server):
         # /rooms/$roomid/send/$event_type[/$txn_id]
@@ -205,7 +207,7 @@ class RoomSendEventRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
 
 # TODO: Needs unit testing for room ID + alias joins
-class JoinRoomAliasServlet(RestServlet):
+class JoinRoomAliasServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
 
     def register(self, http_server):
         # /join/$room_identifier[/$txn_id]
@@ -223,10 +225,10 @@ class JoinRoomAliasServlet(RestServlet):
         identifier = None
         is_room_alias = False
         try:
-            identifier = self.hs.parse_roomalias(room_identifier)
+            identifier = RoomAlias.from_string(room_identifier)
             is_room_alias = True
         except SynapseError:
-            identifier = self.hs.parse_roomid(room_identifier)
+            identifier = RoomID.from_string(room_identifier)
 
         # TODO: Support for specifying the home server to join with?
 
@@ -264,7 +266,7 @@ class JoinRoomAliasServlet(RestServlet):
 
 
 # TODO: Needs unit testing
-class PublicRoomListRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class PublicRoomListRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/publicRooms$")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -275,7 +277,7 @@ class PublicRoomListRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
 
 # TODO: Needs unit testing
-class RoomMemberListRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class RoomMemberListRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/rooms/(?P<room_id>[^/]*)/members$")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -289,7 +291,7 @@ class RoomMemberListRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
         for event in members["chunk"]:
             # FIXME: should probably be state_key here, not user_id
-            target_user = self.hs.parse_userid(event["user_id"])
+            target_user = UserID.from_string(event["user_id"])
             # Presence is an optional cache; don't fail if we can't fetch it
             try:
                 presence_handler = self.handlers.presence_handler
@@ -304,7 +306,7 @@ class RoomMemberListRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
 
 # TODO: Needs unit testing
-class RoomMessageListRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class RoomMessageListRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/rooms/(?P<room_id>[^/]*)/messages$")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -328,7 +330,7 @@ class RoomMessageListRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
 
 # TODO: Needs unit testing
-class RoomStateRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class RoomStateRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/rooms/(?P<room_id>[^/]*)/state$")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -344,7 +346,7 @@ class RoomStateRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
 
 # TODO: Needs unit testing
-class RoomInitialSyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class RoomInitialSyncRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/rooms/(?P<room_id>[^/]*)/initialSync$")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -359,9 +361,13 @@ class RoomInitialSyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, content))
 
 
-class RoomTriggerBackfill(RestServlet):
+class RoomTriggerBackfill(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/rooms/(?P<room_id>[^/]*)/backfill$")
 
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        super(RoomTriggerBackfill, self).__init__(hs)
+        self.clock = hs.get_clock()
+
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, room_id):
         remote_server = urllib.unquote(
@@ -373,12 +379,14 @@ class RoomTriggerBackfill(RestServlet):
         handler = self.handlers.federation_handler
         events = yield handler.backfill(remote_server, room_id, limit)
 
-        res = [self.hs.serialize_event(event) for event in events]
+        time_now = self.clock.time_msec()
+
+        res = [serialize_event(event, time_now) for event in events]
         defer.returnValue((200, res))
 
 
 # TODO: Needs unit testing
-class RoomMembershipRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class RoomMembershipRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
 
     def register(self, http_server):
         # /rooms/$roomid/[invite|join|leave]
@@ -430,7 +438,7 @@ class RoomMembershipRestServlet(RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue(response)
 
 
-class RoomRedactEventRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class RoomRedactEventRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     def register(self, http_server):
         PATTERN = ("/rooms/(?P<room_id>[^/]*)/redact/(?P<event_id>[^/]*)")
         register_txn_path(self, PATTERN, http_server)
@@ -468,7 +476,7 @@ class RoomRedactEventRestServlet(RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue(response)
 
 
-class RoomTypingRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class RoomTypingRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern(
         "/rooms/(?P<room_id>[^/]*)/typing/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)$"
     )
@@ -478,7 +486,7 @@ class RoomTypingRestServlet(RestServlet):
         auth_user = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
 
         room_id = urllib.unquote(room_id)
-        target_user = self.hs.parse_userid(urllib.unquote(user_id))
+        target_user = UserID.from_string(urllib.unquote(user_id))
 
         content = _parse_json(request)
 
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/voip.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/voip.py
index 011c35e69..822d863ce 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/voip.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/voip.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
-from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
+from base import ClientV1RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 
 
 import hmac
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import hashlib
 import base64
 
 
-class VoipRestServlet(RestServlet):
+class VoipRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     PATTERN = client_path_pattern("/voip/turnServer$")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/__init__.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bb740e280
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2014, 2015 OpenMarket Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# 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 synapse.http.server import JsonResource
+
+
+class ClientV2AlphaRestResource(JsonResource):
+    """A resource for version 2 alpha of the matrix client API."""
+
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        JsonResource.__init__(self)
+        self.register_servlets(self, hs)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def register_servlets(client_resource, hs):
+        pass
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/_base.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/_base.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..22dc5cb86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/_base.py
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2014, 2015 OpenMarket Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# 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.
+
+"""This module contains base REST classes for constructing client v1 servlets.
+"""
+
+from synapse.api.urls import CLIENT_V2_ALPHA_PREFIX
+import re
+
+import logging
+
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+def client_v2_pattern(path_regex):
+    """Creates a regex compiled client path with the correct client path
+    prefix.
+
+    Args:
+        path_regex (str): The regex string to match. This should NOT have a ^
+        as this will be prefixed.
+    Returns:
+        SRE_Pattern
+    """
+    return re.compile("^" + CLIENT_V2_ALPHA_PREFIX + path_regex)
diff --git a/synapse/server.py b/synapse/server.py
index 8e739716a..f152f0321 100644
--- a/synapse/server.py
+++ b/synapse/server.py
@@ -20,14 +20,11 @@
 
 # Imports required for the default HomeServer() implementation
 from synapse.federation import initialize_http_replication
-from synapse.events.utils import serialize_event
 from synapse.notifier import Notifier
 from synapse.api.auth import Auth
 from synapse.handlers import Handlers
-from synapse.rest.client.v1 import RestServletFactory
 from synapse.state import StateHandler
 from synapse.storage import DataStore
-from synapse.types import UserID, RoomAlias, RoomID, EventID
 from synapse.util import Clock
 from synapse.util.distributor import Distributor
 from synapse.util.lockutils import LockManager
@@ -73,6 +70,7 @@ class BaseHomeServer(object):
         'notifier',
         'distributor',
         'resource_for_client',
+        'resource_for_client_v2_alpha',
         'resource_for_federation',
         'resource_for_web_client',
         'resource_for_content_repo',
@@ -127,33 +125,6 @@ class BaseHomeServer(object):
 
         setattr(BaseHomeServer, "get_%s" % (depname), _get)
 
-    # TODO: Why are these parse_ methods so high up along with other globals?
-    # Surely these should be in a util package or in the api package?
-
-    # Other utility methods
-    def parse_userid(self, s):
-        """Parse the string given by 's' as a User ID and return a UserID
-        object."""
-        return UserID.from_string(s)
-
-    def parse_roomalias(self, s):
-        """Parse the string given by 's' as a Room Alias and return a RoomAlias
-        object."""
-        return RoomAlias.from_string(s)
-
-    def parse_roomid(self, s):
-        """Parse the string given by 's' as a Room ID and return a RoomID
-        object."""
-        return RoomID.from_string(s)
-
-    def parse_eventid(self, s):
-        """Parse the string given by 's' as a Event ID and return a EventID
-        object."""
-        return EventID.from_string(s)
-
-    def serialize_event(self, e, as_client_event=True):
-        return serialize_event(self, e, as_client_event)
-
     def get_ip_from_request(self, request):
         # May be an X-Forwarding-For header depending on config
         ip_addr = request.getClientIP()
@@ -205,9 +176,6 @@ class HomeServer(BaseHomeServer):
     def build_auth(self):
         return Auth(self)
 
-    def build_rest_servlet_factory(self):
-        return RestServletFactory(self)
-
     def build_state_handler(self):
         return StateHandler(self)
 
@@ -234,9 +202,3 @@ class HomeServer(BaseHomeServer):
 
     def build_pusherpool(self):
         return PusherPool(self)
-
-    def register_servlets(self):
-        """ Register all servlets associated with this HomeServer.
-        """
-        # Simply building the ServletFactory is sufficient to have it register
-        self.get_rest_servlet_factory()
diff --git a/synapse/storage/roommember.py b/synapse/storage/roommember.py
index e59e65529..c69dd995c 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/roommember.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/roommember.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from collections import namedtuple
 from ._base import SQLBaseStore
 
 from synapse.api.constants import Membership
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 import logging
 
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ class RoomMemberStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
         try:
             target_user_id = event.state_key
-            domain = self.hs.parse_userid(target_user_id).domain
+            domain = UserID.from_string(target_user_id).domain
         except:
             logger.exception(
                 "Failed to parse target_user_id=%s", target_user_id
@@ -84,7 +85,7 @@ class RoomMemberStore(SQLBaseStore):
             for e in member_events:
                 try:
                     joined_domains.add(
-                        self.hs.parse_userid(e.state_key).domain
+                        UserID.from_string(e.state_key).domain
                     )
                 except:
                     # FIXME: How do we deal with invalid user ids in the db?
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_directory.py b/tests/handlers/test_directory.py
index 8e164e4be..22119de46 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_directory.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_directory.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from mock import Mock
 
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.handlers.directory import DirectoryHandler
+from synapse.types import RoomAlias
 
 from tests.utils import SQLiteMemoryDbPool, MockKey
 
@@ -65,9 +66,9 @@ class DirectoryTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
 
-        self.my_room = hs.parse_roomalias("#my-room:test")
-        self.your_room = hs.parse_roomalias("#your-room:test")
-        self.remote_room = hs.parse_roomalias("#another:remote")
+        self.my_room = RoomAlias.from_string("#my-room:test")
+        self.your_room = RoomAlias.from_string("#your-room:test")
+        self.remote_room = RoomAlias.from_string("#another:remote")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_get_local_association(self):
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_presence.py b/tests/handlers/test_presence.py
index 56e90177f..5621a8afa 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_presence.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_presence.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 from tests import unittest
 from twisted.internet import defer, reactor
 
-from mock import Mock, call, ANY, NonCallableMock, patch
+from mock import Mock, call, ANY, NonCallableMock
 import json
 
 from tests.utils import (
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 from synapse.handlers.presence import PresenceHandler, UserPresenceCache
 from synapse.streams.config import SourcePaginationConfig
 from synapse.storage.transactions import DestinationsTable
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 OFFLINE = PresenceState.OFFLINE
 UNAVAILABLE = PresenceState.UNAVAILABLE
@@ -170,9 +171,9 @@ class PresenceTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def setUp_users(self, hs):
         # Some local users to test with
-        self.u_apple = hs.parse_userid("@apple:test")
-        self.u_banana = hs.parse_userid("@banana:test")
-        self.u_clementine = hs.parse_userid("@clementine:test")
+        self.u_apple = UserID.from_string("@apple:test")
+        self.u_banana = UserID.from_string("@banana:test")
+        self.u_clementine = UserID.from_string("@clementine:test")
 
         for u in self.u_apple, self.u_banana, self.u_clementine:
             yield self.datastore.create_presence(u.localpart)
@@ -182,10 +183,10 @@ class PresenceTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         )
 
         # ID of a local user that does not exist
-        self.u_durian = hs.parse_userid("@durian:test")
+        self.u_durian = UserID.from_string("@durian:test")
 
         # A remote user
-        self.u_cabbage = hs.parse_userid("@cabbage:elsewhere")
+        self.u_cabbage = UserID.from_string("@cabbage:elsewhere")
 
 
 class MockedDatastorePresenceTestCase(PresenceTestCase):
@@ -250,16 +251,16 @@ class MockedDatastorePresenceTestCase(PresenceTestCase):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def setUp_users(self, hs):
         # Some local users to test with
-        self.u_apple = hs.parse_userid("@apple:test")
-        self.u_banana = hs.parse_userid("@banana:test")
-        self.u_clementine = hs.parse_userid("@clementine:test")
-        self.u_durian = hs.parse_userid("@durian:test")
-        self.u_elderberry = hs.parse_userid("@elderberry:test")
-        self.u_fig = hs.parse_userid("@fig:test")
+        self.u_apple = UserID.from_string("@apple:test")
+        self.u_banana = UserID.from_string("@banana:test")
+        self.u_clementine = UserID.from_string("@clementine:test")
+        self.u_durian = UserID.from_string("@durian:test")
+        self.u_elderberry = UserID.from_string("@elderberry:test")
+        self.u_fig = UserID.from_string("@fig:test")
 
         # Remote user
-        self.u_onion = hs.parse_userid("@onion:farm")
-        self.u_potato = hs.parse_userid("@potato:remote")
+        self.u_onion = UserID.from_string("@onion:farm")
+        self.u_potato = UserID.from_string("@potato:remote")
 
         yield
 
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_presencelike.py b/tests/handlers/test_presencelike.py
index 0584e4c8b..3cdbb186a 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_presencelike.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_presencelike.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.api.constants import PresenceState
 from synapse.handlers.presence import PresenceHandler
 from synapse.handlers.profile import ProfileHandler
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 
 OFFLINE = PresenceState.OFFLINE
@@ -136,12 +137,12 @@ class PresenceProfilelikeDataTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
                 lambda u: defer.succeed([]))
 
         # Some local users to test with
-        self.u_apple = hs.parse_userid("@apple:test")
-        self.u_banana = hs.parse_userid("@banana:test")
-        self.u_clementine = hs.parse_userid("@clementine:test")
+        self.u_apple = UserID.from_string("@apple:test")
+        self.u_banana = UserID.from_string("@banana:test")
+        self.u_clementine = UserID.from_string("@clementine:test")
 
         # Remote user
-        self.u_potato = hs.parse_userid("@potato:remote")
+        self.u_potato = UserID.from_string("@potato:remote")
 
         self.mock_get_joined = (
             self.datastore.get_rooms_for_user_where_membership_is
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_profile.py b/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
index 25b172aa5..7b9590c11 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from mock import Mock, NonCallableMock
 from synapse.api.errors import AuthError
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.handlers.profile import ProfileHandler
-from synapse.api.constants import Membership
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 from tests.utils import SQLiteMemoryDbPool, MockKey
 
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ class ProfileTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
 
-        self.frank = hs.parse_userid("@1234ABCD:test")
-        self.bob   = hs.parse_userid("@4567:test")
-        self.alice = hs.parse_userid("@alice:remote")
+        self.frank = UserID.from_string("@1234ABCD:test")
+        self.bob   = UserID.from_string("@4567:test")
+        self.alice = UserID.from_string("@alice:remote")
 
         yield self.store.create_profile(self.frank.localpart)
 
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_room.py b/tests/handlers/test_room.py
index d3253b48b..9a23b3812 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_room.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_room.py
@@ -15,12 +15,13 @@
 
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
-from tests import unittest
+from .. import unittest
 
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.handlers.room import RoomMemberHandler, RoomCreationHandler
 from synapse.handlers.profile import ProfileHandler
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
+from synapse.types import UserID
 from ..utils import MockKey
 
 from mock import Mock, NonCallableMock
@@ -164,7 +165,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandlerTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
             event, context=context,
         )
         self.notifier.on_new_room_event.assert_called_once_with(
-            event, extra_users=[self.hs.parse_userid(target_user_id)]
+            event, extra_users=[UserID.from_string(target_user_id)]
         )
         self.assertFalse(self.datastore.get_room.called)
         self.assertFalse(self.datastore.store_room.called)
@@ -174,7 +175,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandlerTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_simple_join(self):
         room_id = "!foo:red"
         user_id = "@bob:red"
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         join_signal_observer = Mock()
         self.distributor.observe("user_joined_room", join_signal_observer)
@@ -252,7 +253,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandlerTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_simple_leave(self):
         room_id = "!foo:red"
         user_id = "@bob:red"
-        user = self.hs.parse_userid(user_id)
+        user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
 
         builder = self.hs.get_event_builder_factory().new({
             "type": EventTypes.Member,
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_typing.py b/tests/handlers/test_typing.py
index 6a498b23a..8a7fc028d 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_typing.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_typing.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.handlers.typing import TypingNotificationHandler
 
 from synapse.storage.transactions import DestinationsTable
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 
 def _expect_edu(destination, edu_type, content, origin="test"):
@@ -153,11 +154,11 @@ class TypingNotificationsTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.auth.check_joined_room = check_joined_room
 
         # Some local users to test with
-        self.u_apple = hs.parse_userid("@apple:test")
-        self.u_banana = hs.parse_userid("@banana:test")
+        self.u_apple = UserID.from_string("@apple:test")
+        self.u_banana = UserID.from_string("@banana:test")
 
         # Remote user
-        self.u_onion = hs.parse_userid("@onion:farm")
+        self.u_onion = UserID.from_string("@onion:farm")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_started_typing_local(self):
diff --git a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_presence.py b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_presence.py
index 0b6f7cfcc..65d5cc491 100644
--- a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_presence.py
+++ b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_presence.py
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ from ....utils import MockHttpResource, MockKey
 from synapse.api.constants import PresenceState
 from synapse.handlers.presence import PresenceHandler
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
+from synapse.rest.client.v1 import presence
+from synapse.rest.client.v1 import events
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 
 OFFLINE = PresenceState.OFFLINE
@@ -69,7 +72,7 @@ class PresenceStateTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         def _get_user_by_token(token=None):
             return {
-                "user": hs.parse_userid(myid),
+                "user": UserID.from_string(myid),
                 "admin": False,
                 "device_id": None,
             }
@@ -86,9 +89,9 @@ class PresenceStateTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
             return defer.succeed([])
         room_member_handler.get_rooms_for_user = get_rooms_for_user
 
-        hs.register_servlets()
+        presence.register_servlets(hs, self.mock_resource)
 
-        self.u_apple = hs.parse_userid(myid)
+        self.u_apple = UserID.from_string(myid)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_get_my_status(self):
@@ -159,12 +162,12 @@ class PresenceListTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         def _get_user_by_token(token=None):
             return {
-                "user": hs.parse_userid(myid),
+                "user": UserID.from_string(myid),
                 "admin": False,
                 "device_id": None,
             }
 
-        room_member_handler = hs.handlers.room_member_handler = Mock(
+        hs.handlers.room_member_handler = Mock(
             spec=[
                 "get_rooms_for_user",
             ]
@@ -172,10 +175,10 @@ class PresenceListTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         hs.get_auth().get_user_by_token = _get_user_by_token
 
-        hs.register_servlets()
+        presence.register_servlets(hs, self.mock_resource)
 
-        self.u_apple = hs.parse_userid("@apple:test")
-        self.u_banana = hs.parse_userid("@banana:test")
+        self.u_apple = UserID.from_string("@apple:test")
+        self.u_banana = UserID.from_string("@banana:test")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_get_my_list(self):
@@ -279,11 +282,12 @@ class PresenceEventStreamTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         hs.get_clock().time_msec.return_value = 1000000
 
         def _get_user_by_req(req=None):
-            return hs.parse_userid(myid)
+            return UserID.from_string(myid)
 
         hs.get_auth().get_user_by_req = _get_user_by_req
 
-        hs.register_servlets()
+        presence.register_servlets(hs, self.mock_resource)
+        events.register_servlets(hs, self.mock_resource)
 
         hs.handlers.room_member_handler = Mock(spec=[])
 
@@ -319,8 +323,8 @@ class PresenceEventStreamTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.presence = hs.get_handlers().presence_handler
 
-        self.u_apple = hs.parse_userid("@apple:test")
-        self.u_banana = hs.parse_userid("@banana:test")
+        self.u_apple = UserID.from_string("@apple:test")
+        self.u_banana = UserID.from_string("@banana:test")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_shortpoll(self):
diff --git a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_profile.py b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_profile.py
index 47cfb10a6..39cd68d82 100644
--- a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_profile.py
+++ b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_profile.py
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ from ....utils import MockHttpResource, MockKey
 
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError, AuthError
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
+from synapse.types import UserID
+
+from synapse.rest.client.v1 import profile
 
 myid = "@1234ABCD:test"
 PATH_PREFIX = "/_matrix/client/api/v1"
@@ -55,13 +58,13 @@ class ProfileTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         )
 
         def _get_user_by_req(request=None):
-            return hs.parse_userid(myid)
+            return UserID.from_string(myid)
 
         hs.get_auth().get_user_by_req = _get_user_by_req
 
         hs.get_handlers().profile_handler = self.mock_handler
 
-        hs.register_servlets()
+        profile.register_servlets(hs, self.mock_resource)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_get_my_name(self):
diff --git a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_rooms.py b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_rooms.py
index 12f804054..76ed550b7 100644
--- a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_rooms.py
+++ b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_rooms.py
@@ -22,13 +22,10 @@ import synapse.rest.client.v1.room
 from synapse.api.constants import Membership
 
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
-from tests import unittest
-
-# python imports
 import json
 import urllib
-import types
 
 from ....utils import MockHttpResource, SQLiteMemoryDbPool, MockKey
 from .utils import RestTestCase
@@ -70,7 +67,7 @@ class RoomPermissionsTestCase(RestTestCase):
 
         def _get_user_by_token(token=None):
             return {
-                "user": hs.parse_userid(self.auth_user_id),
+                "user": UserID.from_string(self.auth_user_id),
                 "admin": False,
                 "device_id": None,
             }
@@ -466,7 +463,7 @@ class RoomsMemberListTestCase(RestTestCase):
 
         def _get_user_by_token(token=None):
             return {
-                "user": hs.parse_userid(self.auth_user_id),
+                "user": UserID.from_string(self.auth_user_id),
                 "admin": False,
                 "device_id": None,
             }
@@ -555,7 +552,7 @@ class RoomsCreateTestCase(RestTestCase):
 
         def _get_user_by_token(token=None):
             return {
-                "user": hs.parse_userid(self.auth_user_id),
+                "user": UserID.from_string(self.auth_user_id),
                 "admin": False,
                 "device_id": None,
             }
@@ -657,7 +654,7 @@ class RoomTopicTestCase(RestTestCase):
 
         def _get_user_by_token(token=None):
             return {
-                "user": hs.parse_userid(self.auth_user_id),
+                "user": UserID.from_string(self.auth_user_id),
                 "admin": False,
                 "device_id": None,
             }
@@ -773,7 +770,7 @@ class RoomMemberStateTestCase(RestTestCase):
 
         def _get_user_by_token(token=None):
             return {
-                "user": hs.parse_userid(self.auth_user_id),
+                "user": UserID.from_string(self.auth_user_id),
                 "admin": False,
                 "device_id": None,
             }
@@ -909,7 +906,7 @@ class RoomMessagesTestCase(RestTestCase):
 
         def _get_user_by_token(token=None):
             return {
-                "user": hs.parse_userid(self.auth_user_id),
+                "user": UserID.from_string(self.auth_user_id),
                 "admin": False,
                 "device_id": None,
             }
@@ -1013,7 +1010,7 @@ class RoomInitialSyncTestCase(RestTestCase):
 
         def _get_user_by_token(token=None):
             return {
-                "user": hs.parse_userid(self.auth_user_id),
+                "user": UserID.from_string(self.auth_user_id),
                 "admin": False,
                 "device_id": None,
             }
@@ -1028,7 +1025,7 @@ class RoomInitialSyncTestCase(RestTestCase):
         # Since I'm getting my own presence I need to exist as far as presence
         # is concerned.
         hs.get_handlers().presence_handler.registered_user(
-            hs.parse_userid(self.user_id)
+            UserID.from_string(self.user_id)
         )
 
         # create the room
diff --git a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_typing.py b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_typing.py
index 647bcebfd..c89b37d00 100644
--- a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_typing.py
+++ b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_typing.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 import synapse.rest.client.v1.room
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 from ....utils import MockHttpResource, MockClock, SQLiteMemoryDbPool, MockKey
 from .utils import RestTestCase
@@ -69,7 +70,7 @@ class RoomTypingTestCase(RestTestCase):
 
         def _get_user_by_token(token=None):
             return {
-                "user": hs.parse_userid(self.auth_user_id),
+                "user": UserID.from_string(self.auth_user_id),
                 "admin": False,
                 "device_id": None,
             }
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ class RoomTypingTestCase(RestTestCase):
 
         def get_room_members(room_id):
             if room_id == self.room_id:
-                return defer.succeed([hs.parse_userid(self.user_id)])
+                return defer.succeed([UserID.from_string(self.user_id)])
             else:
                 return defer.succeed([])
 
diff --git a/tests/rest/client/v2_alpha/__init__.py b/tests/rest/client/v2_alpha/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f59745e13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/rest/client/v2_alpha/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2015 OpenMarket Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# 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 tests import unittest
+
+from mock import Mock
+
+from ....utils import MockHttpResource, MockKey
+
+from synapse.server import HomeServer
+from synapse.types import UserID
+
+
+PATH_PREFIX = "/_matrix/client/v2_alpha"
+
+
+class V2AlphaRestTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
+    # Consumer must define
+    #   USER_ID = <some string>
+    #   TO_REGISTER = [<list of REST servlets to register>]
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.mock_resource = MockHttpResource(prefix=PATH_PREFIX)
+
+        mock_config = Mock()
+        mock_config.signing_key = [MockKey()]
+
+        hs = HomeServer("test",
+            db_pool=None,
+            datastore=Mock(spec=[
+                "insert_client_ip",
+            ]),
+            http_client=None,
+            resource_for_client=self.mock_resource,
+            resource_for_federation=self.mock_resource,
+            config=mock_config,
+        )
+
+        def _get_user_by_token(token=None):
+            return {
+                "user": UserID.from_string(self.USER_ID),
+                "admin": False,
+                "device_id": None,
+            }
+        hs.get_auth().get_user_by_token = _get_user_by_token
+
+        for r in self.TO_REGISTER:
+            r.register_servlets(hs, self.mock_resource)
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_directory.py b/tests/storage/test_directory.py
index e9c242cc0..bc9ebf35e 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_directory.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_directory.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.storage.directory import DirectoryStore
+from synapse.types import RoomID, RoomAlias
 
 from tests.utils import SQLiteMemoryDbPool
 
@@ -37,8 +38,8 @@ class DirectoryStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.store = DirectoryStore(hs)
 
-        self.room = hs.parse_roomid("!abcde:test")
-        self.alias = hs.parse_roomalias("#my-room:test")
+        self.room = RoomID.from_string("!abcde:test")
+        self.alias = RoomAlias.from_string("#my-room:test")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_room_to_alias(self):
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_presence.py b/tests/storage/test_presence.py
index 9655d3cf4..1ab193736 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_presence.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_presence.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.storage.presence import PresenceStore
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 from tests.utils import SQLiteMemoryDbPool, MockClock
 
@@ -37,8 +38,8 @@ class PresenceStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.store = PresenceStore(hs)
 
-        self.u_apple = hs.parse_userid("@apple:test")
-        self.u_banana = hs.parse_userid("@banana:test")
+        self.u_apple = UserID.from_string("@apple:test")
+        self.u_banana = UserID.from_string("@banana:test")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_state(self):
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_profile.py b/tests/storage/test_profile.py
index 5d36723c2..84381241b 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_profile.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_profile.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.storage.profile import ProfileStore
+from synapse.types import UserID
 
 from tests.utils import SQLiteMemoryDbPool
 
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ class ProfileStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.store = ProfileStore(hs)
 
-        self.u_frank = hs.parse_userid("@frank:test")
+        self.u_frank = UserID.from_string("@frank:test")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_displayname(self):
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_redaction.py b/tests/storage/test_redaction.py
index 9806fbc69..0713dfab6 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_redaction.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_redaction.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
+from synapse.types import UserID, RoomID
 
 from tests.utils import SQLiteMemoryDbPool, MockKey
 
@@ -48,10 +49,10 @@ class RedactionTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.handlers = hs.get_handlers()
         self.message_handler = self.handlers.message_handler
 
-        self.u_alice = hs.parse_userid("@alice:test")
-        self.u_bob = hs.parse_userid("@bob:test")
+        self.u_alice = UserID.from_string("@alice:test")
+        self.u_bob = UserID.from_string("@bob:test")
 
-        self.room1 = hs.parse_roomid("!abc123:test")
+        self.room1 = RoomID.from_string("!abc123:test")
 
         self.depth = 1
 
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_room.py b/tests/storage/test_room.py
index e7739776e..71e5d3414 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_room.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_room.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes
+from synapse.types import UserID, RoomID, RoomAlias
 
 from tests.utils import SQLiteMemoryDbPool
 
@@ -38,9 +39,9 @@ class RoomStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         # management of the 'room_aliases' table
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
 
-        self.room = hs.parse_roomid("!abcde:test")
-        self.alias = hs.parse_roomalias("#a-room-name:test")
-        self.u_creator = hs.parse_userid("@creator:test")
+        self.room = RoomID.from_string("!abcde:test")
+        self.alias = RoomAlias.from_string("#a-room-name:test")
+        self.u_creator = UserID.from_string("@creator:test")
 
         yield self.store.store_room(self.room.to_string(),
             room_creator_user_id=self.u_creator.to_string(),
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ class RoomEventsStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
         self.event_factory = hs.get_event_factory();
 
-        self.room = hs.parse_roomid("!abcde:test")
+        self.room = RoomID.from_string("!abcde:test")
 
         yield self.store.store_room(self.room.to_string(),
             room_creator_user_id="@creator:text",
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_roommember.py b/tests/storage/test_roommember.py
index a23a8189d..2b9048e2a 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_roommember.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_roommember.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
+from synapse.types import UserID, RoomID
 
 from tests.utils import SQLiteMemoryDbPool, MockKey
 
@@ -49,13 +50,13 @@ class RoomMemberStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.handlers = hs.get_handlers()
         self.message_handler = self.handlers.message_handler
 
-        self.u_alice = hs.parse_userid("@alice:test")
-        self.u_bob = hs.parse_userid("@bob:test")
+        self.u_alice = UserID.from_string("@alice:test")
+        self.u_bob = UserID.from_string("@bob:test")
 
         # User elsewhere on another host
-        self.u_charlie = hs.parse_userid("@charlie:elsewhere")
+        self.u_charlie = UserID.from_string("@charlie:elsewhere")
 
-        self.room = hs.parse_roomid("!abc123:test")
+        self.room = RoomID.from_string("!abc123:test")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def inject_room_member(self, room, user, membership, replaces_state=None):
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_stream.py b/tests/storage/test_stream.py
index 9247fc579..b7f6e2aa8 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_stream.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_stream.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
+from synapse.types import UserID, RoomID
 
 from tests.utils import SQLiteMemoryDbPool, MockKey
 
@@ -48,11 +49,11 @@ class StreamStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.handlers = hs.get_handlers()
         self.message_handler = self.handlers.message_handler
 
-        self.u_alice = hs.parse_userid("@alice:test")
-        self.u_bob = hs.parse_userid("@bob:test")
+        self.u_alice = UserID.from_string("@alice:test")
+        self.u_bob = UserID.from_string("@bob:test")
 
-        self.room1 = hs.parse_roomid("!abc123:test")
-        self.room2 = hs.parse_roomid("!xyx987:test")
+        self.room1 = RoomID.from_string("!abc123:test")
+        self.room2 = RoomID.from_string("!xyx987:test")
 
         self.depth = 1
 
diff --git a/tests/test_types.py b/tests/test_types.py
index bfb9e6f54..b29a8415b 100644
--- a/tests/test_types.py
+++ b/tests/test_types.py
@@ -42,12 +42,6 @@ class UserIDTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(userA == userAagain)
         self.assertTrue(userA != userB)
 
-    def test_via_homeserver(self):
-        user = mock_homeserver.parse_userid("@3456ijkl:my.domain")
-
-        self.assertEquals("3456ijkl", user.localpart)
-        self.assertEquals("my.domain", user.domain)
-
 
 class RoomAliasTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
@@ -62,9 +56,3 @@ class RoomAliasTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         room = RoomAlias("channel", "my.domain")
 
         self.assertEquals(room.to_string(), "#channel:my.domain")
-
-    def test_via_homeserver(self):
-        room = mock_homeserver.parse_roomalias("#elsewhere:my.domain")
-
-        self.assertEquals("elsewhere", room.localpart)
-        self.assertEquals("my.domain", room.domain)