diff --git a/tests/api/test_ratelimiting.py b/tests/api/test_ratelimiting.py
index dc2f83c7eb..dd0bc19ecf 100644
--- a/tests/api/test_ratelimiting.py
+++ b/tests/api/test_ratelimiting.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from synapse.api.ratelimiting import Ratelimiter
 
-import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 
 class TestRatelimiter(unittest.TestCase):
 
diff --git a/tests/events/test_events.py b/tests/events/test_events.py
index 93d5c15c6f..a4b6cb3afd 100644
--- a/tests/events/test_events.py
+++ b/tests/events/test_events.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 from synapse.api.events import SynapseEvent
 
-import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 
 
 class SynapseTemplateCheckTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
diff --git a/tests/federation/test_federation.py b/tests/federation/test_federation.py
index 0b105fe723..954ccac2a4 100644
--- a/tests/federation/test_federation.py
+++ b/tests/federation/test_federation.py
@@ -14,11 +14,10 @@
 
 # trial imports
 from twisted.internet import defer
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 
 # python imports
 from mock import Mock
-import logging
 
 from ..utils import MockHttpResource, MockClock
 
@@ -28,9 +27,6 @@ from synapse.federation.units import Pdu
 from synapse.storage.pdu import PduTuple, PduEntry
 
 
-logging.getLogger().addHandler(logging.NullHandler())
-
-
 def make_pdu(prev_pdus=[], **kwargs):
     """Provide some default fields for making a PduTuple."""
     pdu_fields = {
diff --git a/tests/federation/test_pdu_codec.py b/tests/federation/test_pdu_codec.py
index 9f74ba119f..344e1baf60 100644
--- a/tests/federation/test_pdu_codec.py
+++ b/tests/federation/test_pdu_codec.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 
 from synapse.federation.pdu_codec import (
     PduCodec, encode_event_id, decode_event_id
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_directory.py b/tests/handlers/test_directory.py
index 72a2b1443a..54d6e51f97 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_directory.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_directory.py
@@ -14,11 +14,10 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from mock import Mock
-import logging
 
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.http.client import HttpClient
@@ -26,9 +25,6 @@ from synapse.handlers.directory import DirectoryHandler
 from synapse.storage.directory import RoomAliasMapping
 
 
-logging.getLogger().addHandler(logging.NullHandler())
-
-
 class DirectoryHandlers(object):
     def __init__(self, hs):
         self.directory_handler = DirectoryHandler(hs)
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_federation.py b/tests/handlers/test_federation.py
index 6fc3d8f7fd..f0308a29d3 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_federation.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_federation.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 
 from synapse.api.events.room import (
     InviteJoinEvent, MessageEvent, RoomMemberEvent
@@ -26,12 +26,8 @@ from synapse.federation.units import Pdu
 
 from mock import NonCallableMock, ANY
 
-import logging
-
 from ..utils import get_mock_call_args
 
-logging.getLogger().addHandler(logging.NullHandler())
-
 
 class FederationTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_presence.py b/tests/handlers/test_presence.py
index 9eb8b6909f..06f5f9c2ba 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_presence.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_presence.py
@@ -14,11 +14,10 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 from twisted.internet import defer, reactor
 
 from mock import Mock, call, ANY
-import logging
 import json
 
 from ..utils import MockHttpResource, MockClock, DeferredMockCallable
@@ -34,9 +33,6 @@ UNAVAILABLE = PresenceState.UNAVAILABLE
 ONLINE = PresenceState.ONLINE
 
 
-logging.getLogger().addHandler(logging.NullHandler())
-
-
 def _expect_edu(destination, edu_type, content, origin="test"):
     return {
         "origin": origin,
@@ -92,7 +88,6 @@ class PresenceStateTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         # Mock the RoomMemberHandler
         room_member_handler = Mock(spec=[])
         hs.handlers.room_member_handler = room_member_handler
-        logging.getLogger().debug("Mocking room_member_handler=%r", room_member_handler)
 
         # Some local users to test with
         self.u_apple = hs.parse_userid("@apple:test")
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_presencelike.py b/tests/handlers/test_presencelike.py
index b35980d948..72c55b3667 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_presencelike.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_presencelike.py
@@ -16,11 +16,10 @@
 """This file contains tests of the "presence-like" data that is shared between
 presence and profiles; namely, the displayname and avatar_url."""
 
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from mock import Mock, call, ANY
-import logging
 
 from ..utils import MockClock
 
@@ -35,9 +34,6 @@ UNAVAILABLE = PresenceState.UNAVAILABLE
 ONLINE = PresenceState.ONLINE
 
 
-logging.getLogger().addHandler(logging.NullHandler())
-
-
 class MockReplication(object):
     def __init__(self):
         self.edu_handlers = {}
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_profile.py b/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
index 8e7a89b479..0a5cebb4cc 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_profile.py
@@ -14,20 +14,16 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from mock import Mock
-import logging
 
 from synapse.api.errors import AuthError
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.handlers.profile import ProfileHandler
 
 
-logging.getLogger().addHandler(logging.NullHandler())
-
-
 class ProfileHandlers(object):
     def __init__(self, hs):
         self.profile_handler = ProfileHandler(hs)
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_room.py b/tests/handlers/test_room.py
index 5687bbea0b..a1a2e80492 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_room.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_room.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 
 from synapse.api.events.room import (
     InviteJoinEvent, RoomMemberEvent, RoomConfigEvent
@@ -27,10 +27,6 @@ from synapse.server import HomeServer
 
 from mock import Mock, NonCallableMock
 
-import logging
-
-logging.getLogger().addHandler(logging.NullHandler())
-
 
 class RoomMemberHandlerTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_typing.py b/tests/handlers/test_typing.py
index 6532ac94a3..ab908cdfc1 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_typing.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_typing.py
@@ -14,12 +14,11 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from mock import Mock, call, ANY
 import json
-import logging
 
 from ..utils import MockHttpResource, MockClock, DeferredMockCallable
 
@@ -27,9 +26,6 @@ from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.handlers.typing import TypingNotificationHandler
 
 
-logging.getLogger().addHandler(logging.NullHandler())
-
-
 def _expect_edu(destination, edu_type, content, origin="test"):
     return {
         "origin": origin,
diff --git a/tests/rest/test_events.py b/tests/rest/test_events.py
index fd2224f55f..79b371c04d 100644
--- a/tests/rest/test_events.py
+++ b/tests/rest/test_events.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 """ Tests REST events for /events paths."""
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 
 # twisted imports
 from twisted.internet import defer
@@ -27,14 +27,12 @@ from synapse.server import HomeServer
 
 # python imports
 import json
-import logging
 
 from ..utils import MockHttpResource, MemoryDataStore
 from .utils import RestTestCase
 
 from mock import Mock, NonCallableMock
 
-logging.getLogger().addHandler(logging.NullHandler())
 
 PATH_PREFIX = "/_matrix/client/api/v1"
 
diff --git a/tests/rest/test_presence.py b/tests/rest/test_presence.py
index a1db0fbcf3..ea3478ac5d 100644
--- a/tests/rest/test_presence.py
+++ b/tests/rest/test_presence.py
@@ -15,11 +15,10 @@
 
 """Tests REST events for /presence paths."""
 
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from mock import Mock
-import logging
 
 from ..utils import MockHttpResource
 
@@ -28,9 +27,6 @@ from synapse.handlers.presence import PresenceHandler
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 
 
-logging.getLogger().addHandler(logging.NullHandler())
-
-
 OFFLINE = PresenceState.OFFLINE
 UNAVAILABLE = PresenceState.UNAVAILABLE
 ONLINE = PresenceState.ONLINE
diff --git a/tests/rest/test_profile.py b/tests/rest/test_profile.py
index f41810df1f..e6e51f6dd0 100644
--- a/tests/rest/test_profile.py
+++ b/tests/rest/test_profile.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 """Tests REST events for /profile paths."""
 
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from mock import Mock
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from synapse.server import HomeServer
 myid = "@1234ABCD:test"
 PATH_PREFIX = "/_matrix/client/api/v1"
 
+
 class ProfileTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
     """ Tests profile management. """
 
diff --git a/tests/rest/utils.py b/tests/rest/utils.py
index 77f5ecf0df..ce2e8fd98a 100644
--- a/tests/rest/utils.py
+++ b/tests/rest/utils.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 # trial imports
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 
 from synapse.api.constants import Membership
 
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_base.py b/tests/storage/test_base.py
index 330311448d..3ad9a4b0c0 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_base.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from mock import Mock, call
diff --git a/tests/test_distributor.py b/tests/test_distributor.py
index 04933f0ecf..39c5b8dff2 100644
--- a/tests/test_distributor.py
+++ b/tests/test_distributor.py
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+from tests import unittest
 from twisted.internet import defer
-from twisted.trial import unittest
 
 from mock import Mock, patch
 
diff --git a/tests/test_state.py b/tests/test_state.py
index 16af95b7bc..b1624f0b25 100644
--- a/tests/test_state.py
+++ b/tests/test_state.py
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+from tests import unittest
 from twisted.internet import defer
-from twisted.trial import unittest
 from twisted.python.log import PythonLoggingObserver
 
 from synapse.state import StateHandler
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ from collections import namedtuple
 
 from mock import Mock
 
-import logging
 import mock
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_types.py b/tests/test_types.py
index 571938356c..276ecc91fd 100644
--- a/tests/test_types.py
+++ b/tests/test_types.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 
 from synapse.server import BaseHomeServer
 from synapse.types import UserID, RoomAlias
diff --git a/tests/unittest.py b/tests/unittest.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..00c3c532eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unittest.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2014 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 twisted.trial import unittest
+
+import logging
+
+
+# logging doesn't have a "don't log anything at all EVARRRR setting,
+# but since the highest value is 50, 1000000 should do ;)
+NEVER = 1000000
+
+logging.getLogger().addHandler(logging.StreamHandler())
+logging.getLogger().setLevel(NEVER)
+
+
+class TestCase(unittest.TestCase):
+    pass
diff --git a/tests/util/test_lock.py b/tests/util/test_lock.py
index 5623d78423..6a1e521b1e 100644
--- a/tests/util/test_lock.py
+++ b/tests/util/test_lock.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
-from twisted.trial import unittest
+from tests import unittest
 
 from synapse.util.lockutils import LockManager
 
@@ -105,4 +105,4 @@ class LockManagerTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
             pass
 
         with (yield self.lock_manager.lock(key)):
-            pass
\ No newline at end of file
+            pass