diff --git a/changelog.d/14983.misc b/changelog.d/14983.misc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..93ceaeafc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/14983.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Improve type hints.
diff --git a/mypy.ini b/mypy.ini
index 57f43395b..a6e37bc37 100644
--- a/mypy.ini
+++ b/mypy.ini
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ exclude = (?x)
    |synapse/storage/databases/main/cache.py
    |synapse/storage/schema/
 
-   |tests/api/test_auth.py
    |tests/appservice/test_scheduler.py
    |tests/federation/test_federation_catch_up.py
    |tests/federation/test_federation_sender.py
@@ -73,6 +72,9 @@ disallow_untyped_defs = False
 [mypy-tests.*]
 disallow_untyped_defs = False
 
+[mypy-tests.api.*]
+disallow_untyped_defs = True
+
 [mypy-tests.app.*]
 disallow_untyped_defs = True
 
diff --git a/synapse/api/filtering.py b/synapse/api/filtering.py
index 2b5af264b..83c42fc25 100644
--- a/synapse/api/filtering.py
+++ b/synapse/api/filtering.py
@@ -252,9 +252,9 @@ class FilterCollection:
         return self._room_timeline_filter.unread_thread_notifications
 
     async def filter_presence(
-        self, events: Iterable[UserPresenceState]
+        self, presence_states: Iterable[UserPresenceState]
     ) -> List[UserPresenceState]:
-        return await self._presence_filter.filter(events)
+        return await self._presence_filter.filter(presence_states)
 
     async def filter_account_data(self, events: Iterable[JsonDict]) -> List[JsonDict]:
         return await self._account_data.filter(events)
diff --git a/tests/api/test_auth.py b/tests/api/test_auth.py
index e0f363555..6e36e73f0 100644
--- a/tests/api/test_auth.py
+++ b/tests/api/test_auth.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ from synapse.api.errors import (
 from synapse.appservice import ApplicationService
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.storage.databases.main.registration import TokenLookupResult
-from synapse.types import Requester
+from synapse.types import Requester, UserID
 from synapse.util import Clock
 
 from tests import unittest
@@ -41,10 +41,12 @@ from tests.utils import mock_getRawHeaders
 
 
 class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
-    def prepare(self, reactor: MemoryReactor, clock: Clock, hs: HomeServer):
+    def prepare(self, reactor: MemoryReactor, clock: Clock, hs: HomeServer) -> None:
         self.store = Mock()
 
-        hs.datastores.main = self.store
+        # type-ignore: datastores is None until hs.setup() is called---but it'll
+        # have been called by the HomeserverTestCase machinery.
+        hs.datastores.main = self.store  # type: ignore[union-attr]
         hs.get_auth_handler().store = self.store
         self.auth = Auth(hs)
 
@@ -61,7 +63,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.store.insert_client_ip = simple_async_mock(None)
         self.store.is_support_user = simple_async_mock(False)
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req_user_valid_token(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_user_valid_token(self) -> None:
         user_info = TokenLookupResult(
             user_id=self.test_user, token_id=5, device_id="device"
         )
@@ -74,7 +76,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         requester = self.get_success(self.auth.get_user_by_req(request))
         self.assertEqual(requester.user.to_string(), self.test_user)
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req_user_bad_token(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_user_bad_token(self) -> None:
         self.store.get_user_by_access_token = simple_async_mock(None)
 
         request = Mock(args={})
@@ -86,7 +88,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(f.code, 401)
         self.assertEqual(f.errcode, "M_UNKNOWN_TOKEN")
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req_user_missing_token(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_user_missing_token(self) -> None:
         user_info = TokenLookupResult(user_id=self.test_user, token_id=5)
         self.store.get_user_by_access_token = simple_async_mock(user_info)
 
@@ -98,7 +100,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(f.code, 401)
         self.assertEqual(f.errcode, "M_MISSING_TOKEN")
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token(self) -> None:
         app_service = Mock(
             token="foobar", url="a_url", sender=self.test_user, ip_range_whitelist=None
         )
@@ -112,7 +114,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         requester = self.get_success(self.auth.get_user_by_req(request))
         self.assertEqual(requester.user.to_string(), self.test_user)
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_good_ip(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_good_ip(self) -> None:
         from netaddr import IPSet
 
         app_service = Mock(
@@ -131,7 +133,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         requester = self.get_success(self.auth.get_user_by_req(request))
         self.assertEqual(requester.user.to_string(), self.test_user)
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_bad_ip(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_bad_ip(self) -> None:
         from netaddr import IPSet
 
         app_service = Mock(
@@ -153,7 +155,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(f.code, 401)
         self.assertEqual(f.errcode, "M_UNKNOWN_TOKEN")
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_bad_token(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_bad_token(self) -> None:
         self.store.get_app_service_by_token = Mock(return_value=None)
         self.store.get_user_by_access_token = simple_async_mock(None)
 
@@ -166,7 +168,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(f.code, 401)
         self.assertEqual(f.errcode, "M_UNKNOWN_TOKEN")
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_missing_token(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_missing_token(self) -> None:
         app_service = Mock(token="foobar", url="a_url", sender=self.test_user)
         self.store.get_app_service_by_token = Mock(return_value=app_service)
         self.store.get_user_by_access_token = simple_async_mock(None)
@@ -179,7 +181,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(f.code, 401)
         self.assertEqual(f.errcode, "M_MISSING_TOKEN")
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_valid_user_id(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_valid_user_id(self) -> None:
         masquerading_user_id = b"@doppelganger:matrix.org"
         app_service = Mock(
             token="foobar", url="a_url", sender=self.test_user, ip_range_whitelist=None
@@ -200,7 +202,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             requester.user.to_string(), masquerading_user_id.decode("utf8")
         )
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_bad_user_id(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_bad_user_id(self) -> None:
         masquerading_user_id = b"@doppelganger:matrix.org"
         app_service = Mock(
             token="foobar", url="a_url", sender=self.test_user, ip_range_whitelist=None
@@ -217,7 +219,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.get_failure(self.auth.get_user_by_req(request), AuthError)
 
     @override_config({"experimental_features": {"msc3202_device_masquerading": True}})
-    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_valid_device_id(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_valid_device_id(self) -> None:
         """
         Tests that when an application service passes the device_id URL parameter
         with the ID of a valid device for the user in question,
@@ -249,7 +251,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(requester.device_id, masquerading_device_id.decode("utf8"))
 
     @override_config({"experimental_features": {"msc3202_device_masquerading": True}})
-    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_invalid_device_id(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req_appservice_valid_token_invalid_device_id(self) -> None:
         """
         Tests that when an application service passes the device_id URL parameter
         with an ID that is not a valid device ID for the user in question,
@@ -279,7 +281,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(failure.value.code, 400)
         self.assertEqual(failure.value.errcode, Codes.EXCLUSIVE)
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req__puppeted_token__not_tracking_puppeted_mau(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req__puppeted_token__not_tracking_puppeted_mau(self) -> None:
         self.store.get_user_by_access_token = simple_async_mock(
             TokenLookupResult(
                 user_id="@baldrick:matrix.org",
@@ -298,7 +300,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.get_success(self.auth.get_user_by_req(request))
         self.store.insert_client_ip.assert_called_once()
 
-    def test_get_user_by_req__puppeted_token__tracking_puppeted_mau(self):
+    def test_get_user_by_req__puppeted_token__tracking_puppeted_mau(self) -> None:
         self.auth._track_puppeted_user_ips = True
         self.store.get_user_by_access_token = simple_async_mock(
             TokenLookupResult(
@@ -318,7 +320,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.get_success(self.auth.get_user_by_req(request))
         self.assertEqual(self.store.insert_client_ip.call_count, 2)
 
-    def test_get_user_from_macaroon(self):
+    def test_get_user_from_macaroon(self) -> None:
         self.store.get_user_by_access_token = simple_async_mock(None)
 
         user_id = "@baldrick:matrix.org"
@@ -336,7 +338,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             self.auth.get_user_by_access_token(serialized), InvalidClientTokenError
         )
 
-    def test_get_guest_user_from_macaroon(self):
+    def test_get_guest_user_from_macaroon(self) -> None:
         self.store.get_user_by_id = simple_async_mock({"is_guest": True})
         self.store.get_user_by_access_token = simple_async_mock(None)
 
@@ -357,7 +359,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertTrue(user_info.is_guest)
         self.store.get_user_by_id.assert_called_with(user_id)
 
-    def test_blocking_mau(self):
+    def test_blocking_mau(self) -> None:
         self.auth_blocking._limit_usage_by_mau = False
         self.auth_blocking._max_mau_value = 50
         lots_of_users = 100
@@ -381,7 +383,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.store.get_monthly_active_count = simple_async_mock(small_number_of_users)
         self.get_success(self.auth_blocking.check_auth_blocking())
 
-    def test_blocking_mau__depending_on_user_type(self):
+    def test_blocking_mau__depending_on_user_type(self) -> None:
         self.auth_blocking._max_mau_value = 50
         self.auth_blocking._limit_usage_by_mau = True
 
@@ -400,7 +402,9 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         # Real users not allowed
         self.get_failure(self.auth_blocking.check_auth_blocking(), ResourceLimitError)
 
-    def test_blocking_mau__appservice_requester_allowed_when_not_tracking_ips(self):
+    def test_blocking_mau__appservice_requester_allowed_when_not_tracking_ips(
+        self,
+    ) -> None:
         self.auth_blocking._max_mau_value = 50
         self.auth_blocking._limit_usage_by_mau = True
         self.auth_blocking._track_appservice_user_ips = False
@@ -418,7 +422,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             sender="@appservice:sender",
         )
         requester = Requester(
-            user="@appservice:server",
+            user=UserID.from_string("@appservice:server"),
             access_token_id=None,
             device_id="FOOBAR",
             is_guest=False,
@@ -428,7 +432,9 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.get_success(self.auth_blocking.check_auth_blocking(requester=requester))
 
-    def test_blocking_mau__appservice_requester_disallowed_when_tracking_ips(self):
+    def test_blocking_mau__appservice_requester_disallowed_when_tracking_ips(
+        self,
+    ) -> None:
         self.auth_blocking._max_mau_value = 50
         self.auth_blocking._limit_usage_by_mau = True
         self.auth_blocking._track_appservice_user_ips = True
@@ -446,7 +452,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             sender="@appservice:sender",
         )
         requester = Requester(
-            user="@appservice:server",
+            user=UserID.from_string("@appservice:server"),
             access_token_id=None,
             device_id="FOOBAR",
             is_guest=False,
@@ -459,7 +465,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             ResourceLimitError,
         )
 
-    def test_reserved_threepid(self):
+    def test_reserved_threepid(self) -> None:
         self.auth_blocking._limit_usage_by_mau = True
         self.auth_blocking._max_mau_value = 1
         self.store.get_monthly_active_count = simple_async_mock(2)
@@ -476,7 +482,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         self.get_success(self.auth_blocking.check_auth_blocking(threepid=threepid))
 
-    def test_hs_disabled(self):
+    def test_hs_disabled(self) -> None:
         self.auth_blocking._hs_disabled = True
         self.auth_blocking._hs_disabled_message = "Reason for being disabled"
         e = self.get_failure(
@@ -486,7 +492,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(e.value.errcode, Codes.RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED)
         self.assertEqual(e.value.code, 403)
 
-    def test_hs_disabled_no_server_notices_user(self):
+    def test_hs_disabled_no_server_notices_user(self) -> None:
         """Check that 'hs_disabled_message' works correctly when there is no
         server_notices user.
         """
@@ -503,7 +509,7 @@ class AuthTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(e.value.errcode, Codes.RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED)
         self.assertEqual(e.value.code, 403)
 
-    def test_server_notices_mxid_special_cased(self):
+    def test_server_notices_mxid_special_cased(self) -> None:
         self.auth_blocking._hs_disabled = True
         user = "@user:server"
         self.auth_blocking._server_notices_mxid = user
diff --git a/tests/api/test_filtering.py b/tests/api/test_filtering.py
index d5524d296..0f4561516 100644
--- a/tests/api/test_filtering.py
+++ b/tests/api/test_filtering.py
@@ -14,40 +14,36 @@
 # 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 typing import List
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 import jsonschema
 from frozendict import frozendict
 
+from twisted.test.proto_helpers import MemoryReactor
+
 from synapse.api.constants import EduTypes, EventContentFields
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 from synapse.api.filtering import Filter
-from synapse.events import make_event_from_dict
+from synapse.api.presence import UserPresenceState
+from synapse.server import HomeServer
+from synapse.types import JsonDict
+from synapse.util import Clock
 
 from tests import unittest
+from tests.events.test_utils import MockEvent
 
 user_localpart = "test_user"
 
 
-def MockEvent(**kwargs):
-    if "event_id" not in kwargs:
-        kwargs["event_id"] = "fake_event_id"
-    if "type" not in kwargs:
-        kwargs["type"] = "fake_type"
-    if "content" not in kwargs:
-        kwargs["content"] = {}
-    return make_event_from_dict(kwargs)
-
-
 class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
-    def prepare(self, reactor, clock, hs):
+    def prepare(self, reactor: MemoryReactor, clock: Clock, hs: HomeServer) -> None:
         self.filtering = hs.get_filtering()
         self.datastore = hs.get_datastores().main
 
-    def test_errors_on_invalid_filters(self):
+    def test_errors_on_invalid_filters(self) -> None:
         # See USER_FILTER_SCHEMA for the filter schema.
-        invalid_filters = [
+        invalid_filters: List[JsonDict] = [
             # `account_data` must be a dictionary
             {"account_data": "Hello World"},
             # `event_fields` entries must not contain backslashes
@@ -63,10 +59,10 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             with self.assertRaises(SynapseError):
                 self.filtering.check_valid_filter(filter)
 
-    def test_ignores_unknown_filter_fields(self):
+    def test_ignores_unknown_filter_fields(self) -> None:
         # For forward compatibility, we must ignore unknown filter fields.
         # See USER_FILTER_SCHEMA for the filter schema.
-        filters = [
+        filters: List[JsonDict] = [
             {"org.matrix.msc9999.future_option": True},
             {"presence": {"org.matrix.msc9999.future_option": True}},
             {"room": {"org.matrix.msc9999.future_option": True}},
@@ -76,8 +72,8 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             self.filtering.check_valid_filter(filter)
             # Must not raise.
 
-    def test_valid_filters(self):
-        valid_filters = [
+    def test_valid_filters(self) -> None:
+        valid_filters: List[JsonDict] = [
             {
                 "room": {
                     "timeline": {"limit": 20},
@@ -132,22 +128,22 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             except jsonschema.ValidationError as e:
                 self.fail(e)
 
-    def test_limits_are_applied(self):
+    def test_limits_are_applied(self) -> None:
         # TODO
         pass
 
-    def test_definition_types_works_with_literals(self):
+    def test_definition_types_works_with_literals(self) -> None:
         definition = {"types": ["m.room.message", "org.matrix.foo.bar"]}
         event = MockEvent(sender="@foo:bar", type="m.room.message", room_id="!foo:bar")
 
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_types_works_with_wildcards(self):
+    def test_definition_types_works_with_wildcards(self) -> None:
         definition = {"types": ["m.*", "org.matrix.foo.bar"]}
         event = MockEvent(sender="@foo:bar", type="m.room.message", room_id="!foo:bar")
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_types_works_with_unknowns(self):
+    def test_definition_types_works_with_unknowns(self) -> None:
         definition = {"types": ["m.room.message", "org.matrix.foo.bar"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@foo:bar",
@@ -156,24 +152,24 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_not_types_works_with_literals(self):
+    def test_definition_not_types_works_with_literals(self) -> None:
         definition = {"not_types": ["m.room.message", "org.matrix.foo.bar"]}
         event = MockEvent(sender="@foo:bar", type="m.room.message", room_id="!foo:bar")
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_not_types_works_with_wildcards(self):
+    def test_definition_not_types_works_with_wildcards(self) -> None:
         definition = {"not_types": ["m.room.message", "org.matrix.*"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@foo:bar", type="org.matrix.custom.event", room_id="!foo:bar"
         )
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_not_types_works_with_unknowns(self):
+    def test_definition_not_types_works_with_unknowns(self) -> None:
         definition = {"not_types": ["m.*", "org.*"]}
         event = MockEvent(sender="@foo:bar", type="com.nom.nom.nom", room_id="!foo:bar")
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_not_types_takes_priority_over_types(self):
+    def test_definition_not_types_takes_priority_over_types(self) -> None:
         definition = {
             "not_types": ["m.*", "org.*"],
             "types": ["m.room.message", "m.room.topic"],
@@ -181,35 +177,35 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         event = MockEvent(sender="@foo:bar", type="m.room.topic", room_id="!foo:bar")
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_senders_works_with_literals(self):
+    def test_definition_senders_works_with_literals(self) -> None:
         definition = {"senders": ["@flibble:wibble"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@flibble:wibble", type="com.nom.nom.nom", room_id="!foo:bar"
         )
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_senders_works_with_unknowns(self):
+    def test_definition_senders_works_with_unknowns(self) -> None:
         definition = {"senders": ["@flibble:wibble"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@challenger:appears", type="com.nom.nom.nom", room_id="!foo:bar"
         )
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_not_senders_works_with_literals(self):
+    def test_definition_not_senders_works_with_literals(self) -> None:
         definition = {"not_senders": ["@flibble:wibble"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@flibble:wibble", type="com.nom.nom.nom", room_id="!foo:bar"
         )
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_not_senders_works_with_unknowns(self):
+    def test_definition_not_senders_works_with_unknowns(self) -> None:
         definition = {"not_senders": ["@flibble:wibble"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@challenger:appears", type="com.nom.nom.nom", room_id="!foo:bar"
         )
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_not_senders_takes_priority_over_senders(self):
+    def test_definition_not_senders_takes_priority_over_senders(self) -> None:
         definition = {
             "not_senders": ["@misspiggy:muppets"],
             "senders": ["@kermit:muppets", "@misspiggy:muppets"],
@@ -219,14 +215,14 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_rooms_works_with_literals(self):
+    def test_definition_rooms_works_with_literals(self) -> None:
         definition = {"rooms": ["!secretbase:unknown"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@foo:bar", type="m.room.message", room_id="!secretbase:unknown"
         )
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_rooms_works_with_unknowns(self):
+    def test_definition_rooms_works_with_unknowns(self) -> None:
         definition = {"rooms": ["!secretbase:unknown"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@foo:bar",
@@ -235,7 +231,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_not_rooms_works_with_literals(self):
+    def test_definition_not_rooms_works_with_literals(self) -> None:
         definition = {"not_rooms": ["!anothersecretbase:unknown"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@foo:bar",
@@ -244,7 +240,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_not_rooms_works_with_unknowns(self):
+    def test_definition_not_rooms_works_with_unknowns(self) -> None:
         definition = {"not_rooms": ["!secretbase:unknown"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@foo:bar",
@@ -253,7 +249,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_not_rooms_takes_priority_over_rooms(self):
+    def test_definition_not_rooms_takes_priority_over_rooms(self) -> None:
         definition = {
             "not_rooms": ["!secretbase:unknown"],
             "rooms": ["!secretbase:unknown"],
@@ -263,7 +259,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_combined_event(self):
+    def test_definition_combined_event(self) -> None:
         definition = {
             "not_senders": ["@misspiggy:muppets"],
             "senders": ["@kermit:muppets"],
@@ -279,7 +275,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_combined_event_bad_sender(self):
+    def test_definition_combined_event_bad_sender(self) -> None:
         definition = {
             "not_senders": ["@misspiggy:muppets"],
             "senders": ["@kermit:muppets"],
@@ -295,7 +291,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_combined_event_bad_room(self):
+    def test_definition_combined_event_bad_room(self) -> None:
         definition = {
             "not_senders": ["@misspiggy:muppets"],
             "senders": ["@kermit:muppets"],
@@ -311,7 +307,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_definition_combined_event_bad_type(self):
+    def test_definition_combined_event_bad_type(self) -> None:
         definition = {
             "not_senders": ["@misspiggy:muppets"],
             "senders": ["@kermit:muppets"],
@@ -327,7 +323,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.assertFalse(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_filter_labels(self):
+    def test_filter_labels(self) -> None:
         definition = {"org.matrix.labels": ["#fun"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@foo:bar",
@@ -356,7 +352,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_filter_not_labels(self):
+    def test_filter_not_labels(self) -> None:
         definition = {"org.matrix.not_labels": ["#fun"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@foo:bar",
@@ -377,7 +373,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
     @unittest.override_config({"experimental_features": {"msc3874_enabled": True}})
-    def test_filter_rel_type(self):
+    def test_filter_rel_type(self) -> None:
         definition = {"org.matrix.msc3874.rel_types": ["m.thread"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@foo:bar",
@@ -407,7 +403,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
     @unittest.override_config({"experimental_features": {"msc3874_enabled": True}})
-    def test_filter_not_rel_type(self):
+    def test_filter_not_rel_type(self) -> None:
         definition = {"org.matrix.msc3874.not_rel_types": ["m.thread"]}
         event = MockEvent(
             sender="@foo:bar",
@@ -436,15 +432,25 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         self.assertTrue(Filter(self.hs, definition)._check(event))
 
-    def test_filter_presence_match(self):
-        user_filter_json = {"presence": {"types": ["m.*"]}}
+    def test_filter_presence_match(self) -> None:
+        """Check that filter_presence return events which matches the filter."""
+        user_filter_json = {"presence": {"senders": ["@foo:bar"]}}
         filter_id = self.get_success(
             self.datastore.add_user_filter(
                 user_localpart=user_localpart, user_filter=user_filter_json
             )
         )
-        event = MockEvent(sender="@foo:bar", type="m.profile")
-        events = [event]
+        presence_states = [
+            UserPresenceState(
+                user_id="@foo:bar",
+                state="unavailable",
+                last_active_ts=0,
+                last_federation_update_ts=0,
+                last_user_sync_ts=0,
+                status_msg=None,
+                currently_active=False,
+            ),
+        ]
 
         user_filter = self.get_success(
             self.filtering.get_user_filter(
@@ -452,23 +458,29 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
 
-        results = self.get_success(user_filter.filter_presence(events=events))
-        self.assertEqual(events, results)
+        results = self.get_success(user_filter.filter_presence(presence_states))
+        self.assertEqual(presence_states, results)
 
-    def test_filter_presence_no_match(self):
-        user_filter_json = {"presence": {"types": ["m.*"]}}
+    def test_filter_presence_no_match(self) -> None:
+        """Check that filter_presence does not return events rejected by the filter."""
+        user_filter_json = {"presence": {"not_senders": ["@foo:bar"]}}
 
         filter_id = self.get_success(
             self.datastore.add_user_filter(
                 user_localpart=user_localpart + "2", user_filter=user_filter_json
             )
         )
-        event = MockEvent(
-            event_id="$asdasd:localhost",
-            sender="@foo:bar",
-            type="custom.avatar.3d.crazy",
-        )
-        events = [event]
+        presence_states = [
+            UserPresenceState(
+                user_id="@foo:bar",
+                state="unavailable",
+                last_active_ts=0,
+                last_federation_update_ts=0,
+                last_user_sync_ts=0,
+                status_msg=None,
+                currently_active=False,
+            ),
+        ]
 
         user_filter = self.get_success(
             self.filtering.get_user_filter(
@@ -476,10 +488,10 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
 
-        results = self.get_success(user_filter.filter_presence(events=events))
+        results = self.get_success(user_filter.filter_presence(presence_states))
         self.assertEqual([], results)
 
-    def test_filter_room_state_match(self):
+    def test_filter_room_state_match(self) -> None:
         user_filter_json = {"room": {"state": {"types": ["m.*"]}}}
         filter_id = self.get_success(
             self.datastore.add_user_filter(
@@ -498,7 +510,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         results = self.get_success(user_filter.filter_room_state(events=events))
         self.assertEqual(events, results)
 
-    def test_filter_room_state_no_match(self):
+    def test_filter_room_state_no_match(self) -> None:
         user_filter_json = {"room": {"state": {"types": ["m.*"]}}}
         filter_id = self.get_success(
             self.datastore.add_user_filter(
@@ -519,7 +531,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         results = self.get_success(user_filter.filter_room_state(events))
         self.assertEqual([], results)
 
-    def test_filter_rooms(self):
+    def test_filter_rooms(self) -> None:
         definition = {
             "rooms": ["!allowed:example.com", "!excluded:example.com"],
             "not_rooms": ["!excluded:example.com"],
@@ -535,7 +547,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         self.assertEqual(filtered_room_ids, ["!allowed:example.com"])
 
-    def test_filter_relations(self):
+    def test_filter_relations(self) -> None:
         events = [
             # An event without a relation.
             MockEvent(
@@ -551,9 +563,8 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
                 type="org.matrix.custom.event",
                 room_id="!foo:bar",
             ),
-            # Non-EventBase objects get passed through.
-            {},
         ]
+        jsondicts: List[JsonDict] = [{}]
 
         # For the following tests we patch the datastore method (intead of injecting
         # events). This is a bit cheeky, but tests the logic of _check_event_relations.
@@ -561,7 +572,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         # Filter for a particular sender.
         definition = {"related_by_senders": ["@foo:bar"]}
 
-        async def events_have_relations(*args, **kwargs):
+        async def events_have_relations(*args: object, **kwargs: object) -> List[str]:
             return ["$with_relation"]
 
         with patch.object(
@@ -572,9 +583,17 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
                     Filter(self.hs, definition)._check_event_relations(events)
                 )
             )
-        self.assertEqual(filtered_events, events[1:])
+            # Non-EventBase objects get passed through.
+            filtered_jsondicts = list(
+                self.get_success(
+                    Filter(self.hs, definition)._check_event_relations(jsondicts)
+                )
+            )
 
-    def test_add_filter(self):
+        self.assertEqual(filtered_events, events[1:])
+        self.assertEqual(filtered_jsondicts, [{}])
+
+    def test_add_filter(self) -> None:
         user_filter_json = {"room": {"state": {"types": ["m.*"]}}}
 
         filter_id = self.get_success(
@@ -595,7 +614,7 @@ class FilteringTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             ),
         )
 
-    def test_get_filter(self):
+    def test_get_filter(self) -> None:
         user_filter_json = {"room": {"state": {"types": ["m.*"]}}}
 
         filter_id = self.get_success(
diff --git a/tests/api/test_ratelimiting.py b/tests/api/test_ratelimiting.py
index b5fd08d43..fa6c1c02c 100644
--- a/tests/api/test_ratelimiting.py
+++ b/tests/api/test_ratelimiting.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from tests import unittest
 
 
 class TestRatelimiter(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
-    def test_allowed_via_can_do_action(self):
+    def test_allowed_via_can_do_action(self) -> None:
         limiter = Ratelimiter(
             store=self.hs.get_datastores().main,
             clock=self.clock,
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ class TestRatelimiter(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertTrue(allowed)
         self.assertEqual(20.0, time_allowed)
 
-    def test_allowed_appservice_ratelimited_via_can_requester_do_action(self):
+    def test_allowed_appservice_ratelimited_via_can_requester_do_action(self) -> None:
         appservice = ApplicationService(
             token="fake_token",
             id="foo",
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class TestRatelimiter(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertTrue(allowed)
         self.assertEqual(20.0, time_allowed)
 
-    def test_allowed_appservice_via_can_requester_do_action(self):
+    def test_allowed_appservice_via_can_requester_do_action(self) -> None:
         appservice = ApplicationService(
             token="fake_token",
             id="foo",
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ class TestRatelimiter(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertTrue(allowed)
         self.assertEqual(-1, time_allowed)
 
-    def test_allowed_via_ratelimit(self):
+    def test_allowed_via_ratelimit(self) -> None:
         limiter = Ratelimiter(
             store=self.hs.get_datastores().main,
             clock=self.clock,
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ class TestRatelimiter(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             limiter.ratelimit(None, key="test_id", _time_now_s=10)
         )
 
-    def test_allowed_via_can_do_action_and_overriding_parameters(self):
+    def test_allowed_via_can_do_action_and_overriding_parameters(self) -> None:
         """Test that we can override options of can_do_action that would otherwise fail
         an action
         """
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ class TestRatelimiter(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertTrue(allowed)
         self.assertEqual(1.0, time_allowed)
 
-    def test_allowed_via_ratelimit_and_overriding_parameters(self):
+    def test_allowed_via_ratelimit_and_overriding_parameters(self) -> None:
         """Test that we can override options of the ratelimit method that would otherwise
         fail an action
         """
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ class TestRatelimiter(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             limiter.ratelimit(None, key=("test_id",), _time_now_s=1, burst_count=10)
         )
 
-    def test_pruning(self):
+    def test_pruning(self) -> None:
         limiter = Ratelimiter(
             store=self.hs.get_datastores().main,
             clock=self.clock,
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ class TestRatelimiter(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         self.assertNotIn("test_id_1", limiter.actions)
 
-    def test_db_user_override(self):
+    def test_db_user_override(self) -> None:
         """Test that users that have ratelimiting disabled in the DB aren't
         ratelimited.
         """
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ class TestRatelimiter(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         for _ in range(20):
             self.get_success_or_raise(limiter.ratelimit(requester, _time_now_s=0))
 
-    def test_multiple_actions(self):
+    def test_multiple_actions(self) -> None:
         limiter = Ratelimiter(
             store=self.hs.get_datastores().main,
             clock=self.clock,
diff --git a/tests/events/test_utils.py b/tests/events/test_utils.py
index ff7b349d7..4174a237e 100644
--- a/tests/events/test_utils.py
+++ b/tests/events/test_utils.py
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ def MockEvent(**kwargs: Any) -> EventBase:
         kwargs["event_id"] = "fake_event_id"
     if "type" not in kwargs:
         kwargs["type"] = "fake_type"
+    if "content" not in kwargs:
+        kwargs["content"] = {}
     return make_event_from_dict(kwargs)