diff --git a/synapse/federation/transport/client.py b/synapse/federation/transport/client.py
index 50a967a7ece4..1976e5d2fb60 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/transport/client.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/transport/client.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 from synapse.util.logutils import log_function
 
 import logging
+import urllib
 
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ def get_room_state(self, destination, room_id, event_id):
         logger.debug("get_room_state dest=%s, room=%s",
                      destination, room_id)
 
-        path = PREFIX + "/state/%s/" % room_id
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/state/%s/", room_id)
         return self.client.get_json(
             destination, path=path, args={"event_id": event_id},
         )
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ def get_room_state_ids(self, destination, room_id, event_id):
         logger.debug("get_room_state_ids dest=%s, room=%s",
                      destination, room_id)
 
-        path = PREFIX + "/state_ids/%s/" % room_id
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/state_ids/%s/", room_id)
         return self.client.get_json(
             destination, path=path, args={"event_id": event_id},
         )
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ def get_event(self, destination, event_id, timeout=None):
         logger.debug("get_pdu dest=%s, event_id=%s",
                      destination, event_id)
 
-        path = PREFIX + "/event/%s/" % (event_id, )
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/event/%s/", event_id)
         return self.client.get_json(destination, path=path, timeout=timeout)
 
     @log_function
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ def backfill(self, destination, room_id, event_tuples, limit):
             # TODO: raise?
             return
 
-        path = PREFIX + "/backfill/%s/" % (room_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/backfill/%s/", room_id)
 
         args = {
             "v": event_tuples,
@@ -158,9 +159,11 @@ def send_transaction(self, transaction, json_data_callback=None):
         # generated by the json_data_callback.
         json_data = transaction.get_dict()
 
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/send/%s/", transaction.transaction_id)
+
         response = yield self.client.put_json(
             transaction.destination,
-            path=PREFIX + "/send/%s/" % transaction.transaction_id,
+            path=path,
             data=json_data,
             json_data_callback=json_data_callback,
             long_retries=True,
@@ -178,7 +181,7 @@ def send_transaction(self, transaction, json_data_callback=None):
     @log_function
     def make_query(self, destination, query_type, args, retry_on_dns_fail,
                    ignore_backoff=False):
-        path = PREFIX + "/query/%s" % query_type
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/query/%s", query_type)
 
         content = yield self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -223,7 +226,7 @@ def make_membership_event(self, destination, room_id, user_id, membership):
                 "make_membership_event called with membership='%s', must be one of %s" %
                 (membership, ",".join(valid_memberships))
             )
-        path = PREFIX + "/make_%s/%s/%s" % (membership, room_id, user_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/make_%s/%s/%s", membership, room_id, user_id)
 
         ignore_backoff = False
         retry_on_dns_fail = False
@@ -249,7 +252,7 @@ def make_membership_event(self, destination, room_id, user_id, membership):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
     def send_join(self, destination, room_id, event_id, content):
-        path = PREFIX + "/send_join/%s/%s" % (room_id, event_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/send_join/%s/%s", room_id, event_id)
 
         response = yield self.client.put_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -262,7 +265,7 @@ def send_join(self, destination, room_id, event_id, content):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
     def send_leave(self, destination, room_id, event_id, content):
-        path = PREFIX + "/send_leave/%s/%s" % (room_id, event_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/send_leave/%s/%s", room_id, event_id)
 
         response = yield self.client.put_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -281,7 +284,7 @@ def send_leave(self, destination, room_id, event_id, content):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
     def send_invite(self, destination, room_id, event_id, content):
-        path = PREFIX + "/invite/%s/%s" % (room_id, event_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/invite/%s/%s", room_id, event_id)
 
         response = yield self.client.put_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -323,7 +326,7 @@ def get_public_rooms(self, remote_server, limit, since_token,
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
     def exchange_third_party_invite(self, destination, room_id, event_dict):
-        path = PREFIX + "/exchange_third_party_invite/%s" % (room_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/exchange_third_party_invite/%s", room_id,)
 
         response = yield self.client.put_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -336,7 +339,7 @@ def exchange_third_party_invite(self, destination, room_id, event_dict):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
     def get_event_auth(self, destination, room_id, event_id):
-        path = PREFIX + "/event_auth/%s/%s" % (room_id, event_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/event_auth/%s/%s", room_id, event_id)
 
         content = yield self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -348,7 +351,7 @@ def get_event_auth(self, destination, room_id, event_id):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
     def send_query_auth(self, destination, room_id, event_id, content):
-        path = PREFIX + "/query_auth/%s/%s" % (room_id, event_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/query_auth/%s/%s", room_id, event_id)
 
         content = yield self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -410,7 +413,7 @@ def query_user_devices(self, destination, user_id, timeout):
         Returns:
             A dict containg the device keys.
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/user/devices/" + user_id
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/user/devices/%s", user_id)
 
         content = yield self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -460,7 +463,7 @@ def claim_client_keys(self, destination, query_content, timeout):
     @log_function
     def get_missing_events(self, destination, room_id, earliest_events,
                            latest_events, limit, min_depth, timeout):
-        path = PREFIX + "/get_missing_events/%s" % (room_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/get_missing_events/%s", room_id,)
 
         content = yield self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -480,7 +483,7 @@ def get_missing_events(self, destination, room_id, earliest_events,
     def get_group_profile(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
         """Get a group profile
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/profile" % (group_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/profile", group_id,)
 
         return self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -499,7 +502,7 @@ def update_group_profile(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, content
             requester_user_id (str)
             content (dict): The new profile of the group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/profile" % (group_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/profile", group_id,)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -513,7 +516,7 @@ def update_group_profile(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, content
     def get_group_summary(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
         """Get a group summary
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/summary" % (group_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/summary", group_id,)
 
         return self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -526,7 +529,7 @@ def get_group_summary(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
     def get_rooms_in_group(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
         """Get all rooms in a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/rooms" % (group_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/rooms", group_id,)
 
         return self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -539,7 +542,7 @@ def add_room_to_group(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, room_id,
                           content):
         """Add a room to a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/room/%s" % (group_id, room_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/room/%s", group_id, room_id,)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -553,7 +556,10 @@ def update_room_in_group(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, room_id
                              config_key, content):
         """Update room in group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/room/%s/config/%s" % (group_id, room_id, config_key,)
+        path = _create_path(
+            PREFIX, "/groups/%s/room/%s/config/%s",
+            group_id, room_id, config_key,
+        )
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -566,7 +572,7 @@ def update_room_in_group(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, room_id
     def remove_room_from_group(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, room_id):
         """Remove a room from a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/room/%s" % (group_id, room_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/room/%s", group_id, room_id,)
 
         return self.client.delete_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -579,7 +585,7 @@ def remove_room_from_group(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, room_
     def get_users_in_group(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
         """Get users in a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/users" % (group_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/users", group_id,)
 
         return self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -592,7 +598,7 @@ def get_users_in_group(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
     def get_invited_users_in_group(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
         """Get users that have been invited to a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/invited_users" % (group_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/invited_users", group_id,)
 
         return self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -605,7 +611,10 @@ def get_invited_users_in_group(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
     def accept_group_invite(self, destination, group_id, user_id, content):
         """Accept a group invite
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/users/%s/accept_invite" % (group_id, user_id)
+        path = _create_path(
+            PREFIX, "/groups/%s/users/%s/accept_invite",
+            group_id, user_id,
+        )
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -618,7 +627,7 @@ def accept_group_invite(self, destination, group_id, user_id, content):
     def join_group(self, destination, group_id, user_id, content):
         """Attempts to join a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/users/%s/join" % (group_id, user_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/users/%s/join", group_id, user_id)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -631,7 +640,7 @@ def join_group(self, destination, group_id, user_id, content):
     def invite_to_group(self, destination, group_id, user_id, requester_user_id, content):
         """Invite a user to a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/users/%s/invite" % (group_id, user_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/users/%s/invite", group_id, user_id)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -647,7 +656,7 @@ def invite_to_group_notification(self, destination, group_id, user_id, content):
         invited.
         """
 
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/local/%s/users/%s/invite" % (group_id, user_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/local/%s/users/%s/invite", group_id, user_id)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -661,7 +670,7 @@ def remove_user_from_group(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id,
                                user_id, content):
         """Remove a user fron a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/users/%s/remove" % (group_id, user_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/users/%s/remove", group_id, user_id)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -678,7 +687,7 @@ def remove_user_from_group_notification(self, destination, group_id, user_id,
         kicked from the group.
         """
 
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/local/%s/users/%s/remove" % (group_id, user_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/local/%s/users/%s/remove", group_id, user_id)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -693,7 +702,7 @@ def renew_group_attestation(self, destination, group_id, user_id, content):
         the attestations
         """
 
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/renew_attestation/%s" % (group_id, user_id)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/renew_attestation/%s", group_id, user_id)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -708,11 +717,12 @@ def update_group_summary_room(self, destination, group_id, user_id, room_id,
         """Update a room entry in a group summary
         """
         if category_id:
-            path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/summary/categories/%s/rooms/%s" % (
+            path = _create_path(
+                PREFIX, "/groups/%s/summary/categories/%s/rooms/%s",
                 group_id, category_id, room_id,
             )
         else:
-            path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/summary/rooms/%s" % (group_id, room_id,)
+            path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/summary/rooms/%s", group_id, room_id,)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -728,11 +738,12 @@ def delete_group_summary_room(self, destination, group_id, user_id, room_id,
         """Delete a room entry in a group summary
         """
         if category_id:
-            path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/summary/categories/%s/rooms/%s" % (
+            path = _create_path(
+                PREFIX + "/groups/%s/summary/categories/%s/rooms/%s",
                 group_id, category_id, room_id,
             )
         else:
-            path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/summary/rooms/%s" % (group_id, room_id,)
+            path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/summary/rooms/%s", group_id, room_id,)
 
         return self.client.delete_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -745,7 +756,7 @@ def delete_group_summary_room(self, destination, group_id, user_id, room_id,
     def get_group_categories(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
         """Get all categories in a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/categories" % (group_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/categories", group_id,)
 
         return self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -758,7 +769,7 @@ def get_group_categories(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
     def get_group_category(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, category_id):
         """Get category info in a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/categories/%s" % (group_id, category_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/categories/%s", group_id, category_id,)
 
         return self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -772,7 +783,7 @@ def update_group_category(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, catego
                               content):
         """Update a category in a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/categories/%s" % (group_id, category_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/categories/%s", group_id, category_id,)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -787,7 +798,7 @@ def delete_group_category(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id,
                               category_id):
         """Delete a category in a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/categories/%s" % (group_id, category_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/categories/%s", group_id, category_id,)
 
         return self.client.delete_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -800,7 +811,7 @@ def delete_group_category(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id,
     def get_group_roles(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
         """Get all roles in a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/roles" % (group_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/roles", group_id,)
 
         return self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -813,7 +824,7 @@ def get_group_roles(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id):
     def get_group_role(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, role_id):
         """Get a roles info
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/roles/%s" % (group_id, role_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/roles/%s", group_id, role_id,)
 
         return self.client.get_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -827,7 +838,7 @@ def update_group_role(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, role_id,
                           content):
         """Update a role in a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/roles/%s" % (group_id, role_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/roles/%s", group_id, role_id,)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -841,7 +852,7 @@ def update_group_role(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, role_id,
     def delete_group_role(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id, role_id):
         """Delete a role in a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/roles/%s" % (group_id, role_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/roles/%s", group_id, role_id,)
 
         return self.client.delete_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -856,11 +867,12 @@ def update_group_summary_user(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id,
         """Update a users entry in a group
         """
         if role_id:
-            path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/summary/roles/%s/users/%s" % (
+            path = _create_path(
+                PREFIX, "/groups/%s/summary/roles/%s/users/%s",
                 group_id, role_id, user_id,
             )
         else:
-            path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/summary/users/%s" % (group_id, user_id,)
+            path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/summary/users/%s", group_id, user_id,)
 
         return self.client.post_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -875,7 +887,7 @@ def set_group_join_policy(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id,
                               content):
         """Sets the join policy for a group
         """
-        path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/settings/m.join_policy" % (group_id,)
+        path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/settings/m.join_policy", group_id,)
 
         return self.client.put_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -891,11 +903,12 @@ def delete_group_summary_user(self, destination, group_id, requester_user_id,
         """Delete a users entry in a group
         """
         if role_id:
-            path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/summary/roles/%s/users/%s" % (
+            path = _create_path(
+                PREFIX, "/groups/%s/summary/roles/%s/users/%s",
                 group_id, role_id, user_id,
             )
         else:
-            path = PREFIX + "/groups/%s/summary/users/%s" % (group_id, user_id,)
+            path = _create_path(PREFIX, "/groups/%s/summary/users/%s", group_id, user_id,)
 
         return self.client.delete_json(
             destination=destination,
@@ -918,3 +931,22 @@ def bulk_get_publicised_groups(self, destination, user_ids):
             data=content,
             ignore_backoff=True,
         )
+
+
+def _create_path(prefix, path, *args):
+    """Creates a path from the prefix, path template and args. Ensures that
+    all args are url encoded.
+
+    Example:
+
+        _create_path(PREFIX, "/event/%s/", event_id)
+
+    Args:
+        prefix (str)
+        path (str): String template for the path
+        args: ([str]): Args to insert into path. Each arg will be url encoded
+
+    Returns:
+        str
+    """
+    return prefix + path % tuple(urllib.quote(arg) for arg in args)