diff --git a/src/api/server/make_join.rs b/src/api/server/make_join.rs
index 411a322f5..f9776933c 100644
--- a/src/api/server/make_join.rs
+++ b/src/api/server/make_join.rs
@@ -1,29 +1,19 @@
-use std::{borrow::ToOwned, pin::pin};
-
 use axum::extract::State;
-use conduwuit::{
-	Err, Error, Result, debug, debug_info, info, matrix::pdu::PartialPdu, utils, warn,
-};
-use conduwuit_service::Services;
-use futures::StreamExt;
+use conduwuit::{Err, Error, Result, info, matrix::pdu::PartialPdu, utils};
 use ruma::{
-	OwnedUserId, RoomId, UserId,
+	OwnedUserId,
 	api::{
 		error::{ErrorKind, IncompatibleRoomVersionErrorData},
 		federation::membership::prepare_join_event,
 	},
 	assign,
-	events::{
-		StateEventType,
-		room::{
-			join_rules::{AllowRule, JoinRule, RoomJoinRulesEventContent},
-			member::{MembershipState, RoomMemberEventContent},
-		},
+	events::room::{
+		join_rules::JoinRule,
+		member::{MembershipState, RoomMemberEventContent},
 	},
 };
 use serde_json::value::to_raw_value;
-use service::rooms::state::RoomMutexGuard;
-use tokio::join;
+use service::rooms::membership::JoinConditionResult;
 
 use crate::Ruma;
 
@@ -35,9 +25,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_join_event_template_route(
 	State(services): State<crate::State>,
 	body: Ruma<prepare_join_event::v1::Request>,
 ) -> Result<prepare_join_event::v1::Response> {
-	if !services.rooms.metadata.exists(&body.room_id).await {
-		return Err!(Request(NotFound("Room is unknown to this server.")));
-	}
 	if !services
 		.rooms
 		.state_cache
@@ -63,18 +50,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_join_event_template_route(
 		.acl_check(&body.identity, &body.room_id)
 		.await?;
 
-	if services
-		.moderation
-		.is_remote_server_forbidden(&body.identity)
-	{
-		warn!(
-			"Server {} for remote user {} tried joining room ID {} which has a server name that \
-			 is globally forbidden. Rejecting.",
-			body.identity, &body.user_id, &body.room_id,
-		);
-		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Server is banned on this homeserver.")));
-	}
-
 	let room_version = services.rooms.state.get_room_version(&body.room_id).await?;
 	let room_version_rules = room_version.rules().unwrap();
 	if !body.ver.contains(&room_version) {
@@ -87,41 +62,74 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_join_event_template_route(
 	}
 
 	let state_lock = services.rooms.state.mutex.lock(body.room_id.as_str()).await;
-	let (is_invited, is_joined) = join!(
-		services
-			.rooms
-			.state_cache
-			.is_invited(&body.user_id, &body.room_id),
-		services
-			.rooms
-			.state_cache
-			.is_joined(&body.user_id, &body.room_id)
-	);
+
+	let current_membership = services
+		.rooms
+		.state_accessor
+		.get_member(&body.room_id, &body.user_id)
+		.await
+		.ok()
+		.map_or_else(|| MembershipState::Leave, |content| content.membership);
+
 	let join_authorized_via_users_server: Option<OwnedUserId> = {
-		if is_joined || is_invited {
-			// User is already joined or invited and consequently does not need
-			// an authorising user
+		if matches!(
+			current_membership,
+			MembershipState::Join | MembershipState::Invite | MembershipState::Knock
+		) {
+			// User is already joined, invited, or knocked, and consequently
+			// does not need an authorising user
 			None
 		} else if !room_version_rules.authorization.restricted_join_rule {
-			// room version does not support restricted join rules
+			// Room version does not support restricted join rules
 			None
-		} else if user_can_perform_restricted_join(&services, &body.user_id, &body.room_id)
-			.await?
-		{
-			Some(
-				select_authorising_user(&services, &body.room_id, &body.user_id, &state_lock)
-					.await?,
-			)
 		} else {
-			None
+			let join_rules = services
+				.rooms
+				.state_accessor
+				.get_join_rules(&body.room_id)
+				.await;
+
+			if let JoinRule::Restricted(conditions) | JoinRule::KnockRestricted(conditions) =
+				join_rules
+			{
+				match services
+					.rooms
+					.membership
+					.evaluate_join_conditions(&body.room_id, &body.user_id, &conditions)
+					.await
+				{
+					| JoinConditionResult::Satisfied => {
+						// Try to find an authorizing user
+						services
+							.rooms
+							.membership
+							.select_authorizing_user(&body.room_id, &body.user_id, &state_lock)
+							.await
+							.map(Some)?
+					},
+					| JoinConditionResult::Unsatisfied => {
+						return Err!(Request(Forbidden(
+							"You do not satisfy this room's join conditions."
+						)));
+					},
+					| JoinConditionResult::UnableToAuthorizeJoin => {
+						return Err!(Request(UnableToAuthorizeJoin(
+							"This server cannot check this room's join conditions."
+						)));
+					},
+				}
+			} else {
+				None
+			}
 		}
 	};
-	if services.antispam.check_all_joins() && join_authorized_via_users_server.is_none() {
+
+	if services.antispam.check_all_joins() {
 		if services
 			.antispam
 			.meowlnir_accept_make_join(body.room_id.clone(), body.user_id.clone())
 			.await
-			.is_err()
+			!= JoinConditionResult::Satisfied
 		{
 			return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Antispam rejected join request.")));
 		}
@@ -153,133 +161,3 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_join_event_template_route(
 		}),
 	)
 }
-
-/// Attempts to find a user who is able to issue an invite in the target room.
-pub(crate) async fn select_authorising_user<'a>(
-	services: &Services,
-	room_id: &'a RoomId,
-	user_id: &'a UserId,
-	state_lock: &'a RoomMutexGuard,
-) -> Result<OwnedUserId> {
-	let candidates = services.rooms.state_cache.local_users_in_room(room_id);
-
-	let mut candidates = pin!(candidates);
-
-	while let Some(candidate) = candidates.next().await {
-		if services
-			.rooms
-			.state_accessor
-			.user_can_invite(room_id, &candidate, user_id, state_lock)
-			.await
-		{
-			return Ok(candidate);
-		}
-	}
-
-	Err!(Request(UnableToGrantJoin(
-		"No user on this server is able to assist in joining."
-	)))
-}
-
-/// Checks whether the given user can join the given room via a restricted join.
-pub(crate) async fn user_can_perform_restricted_join(
-	services: &Services,
-	user_id: &UserId,
-	room_id: &RoomId,
-) -> Result<bool> {
-	let Ok(join_rules_event_content) = services
-		.rooms
-		.state_accessor
-		.room_state_get_content::<RoomJoinRulesEventContent>(
-			room_id,
-			&StateEventType::RoomJoinRules,
-			"",
-		)
-		.await
-	else {
-		// No join rules means there's nothing to authorise (defaults to invite)
-		return Ok(false);
-	};
-
-	let (JoinRule::Restricted(r) | JoinRule::KnockRestricted(r)) =
-		join_rules_event_content.join_rule
-	else {
-		// This is not a restricted room
-		return Ok(false);
-	};
-
-	if r.allow.is_empty() {
-		// This will never be authorisable, return forbidden.
-		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("You are not invited to this room.")));
-	}
-
-	let mut could_satisfy = true;
-	for allow_rule in &r.allow {
-		match allow_rule {
-			| AllowRule::RoomMembership(membership) => {
-				if !services
-					.rooms
-					.state_cache
-					.server_in_room(services.globals.server_name(), &membership.room_id)
-					.await
-				{
-					// Since we can't check this room, mark could_satisfy as
-					// false so that we can return
-					// M_UNABLE_TO_AUTHORIZE_JOIN later.
-					could_satisfy = false;
-					continue;
-				}
-
-				if services
-					.rooms
-					.state_cache
-					.is_joined(user_id, &membership.room_id)
-					.await
-				{
-					debug!(
-						"User {} is allowed to join room {} via membership in room {}",
-						user_id, room_id, membership.room_id
-					);
-					return Ok(true);
-				}
-			},
-			| other if other.rule_type() == "fi.mau.spam_checker" =>
-				return match services
-					.antispam
-					.meowlnir_accept_make_join(room_id.to_owned(), user_id.to_owned())
-					.await
-				{
-					| Ok(()) => Ok(true),
-					| Err(_) => Err!(Request(Forbidden("Antispam rejected join request."))),
-				},
-			| _ => {
-				// We don't recognise this join rule, so we cannot satisfy the
-				// request.
-				could_satisfy = false;
-				debug_info!(
-					"Unsupported allow rule in restricted join for room {}: {:?}",
-					room_id,
-					allow_rule
-				);
-			},
-		}
-	}
-
-	if could_satisfy {
-		// We were able to check all the restrictions and can be certain that
-		// the prospective member is not permitted to join.
-		Err!(Request(Forbidden(
-			"You do not belong to any of the rooms or spaces required to join this room."
-		)))
-	} else {
-		// We were unable to check all the restrictions. This usually means we
-		// aren't in one of the rooms this one is restricted to, ergo can't
-		// check its state for the user's membership, and consequently the
-		// user *might* be able to join if they ask another server.
-		Err!(Request(UnableToAuthorizeJoin(
-			"You do not belong to any of the recognised rooms or spaces required to join this \
-			 room, but this server is unable to verify every requirement. You may be able to \
-			 join via another server."
-		)))
-	}
-}
diff --git a/src/api/server/send_join.rs b/src/api/server/send_join.rs
index dd9b12e14..aa91957d0 100644
--- a/src/api/server/send_join.rs
+++ b/src/api/server/send_join.rs
@@ -16,9 +16,11 @@
 		TimelineEventType,
 		room::member::{MembershipState, RoomMemberEventContent},
 	},
+	room::JoinRule,
 	room_version_rules::RoomVersionRules,
 };
 use serde_json::value::to_raw_value;
+use service::rooms::membership::JoinConditionResult;
 
 use crate::{Ruma, server::utils::validate_any_membership_event};
 
@@ -108,18 +110,52 @@ async fn create_join_event(
 				 they cannot authorise your join."
 			)));
 		}
-		if !super::user_can_perform_restricted_join(services, &sender, room_id).await? {
-			return Err!(Request(UnableToAuthorizeJoin(
-				"Joining user did not pass restricted room's rules."
+
+		// If the user is invited or joined we don't need to check the join
+		// conditions, but in that case the requesting server shouldn't
+		// have set `join_authorized_via_users_server` in the first place.
+
+		let join_rules = services.rooms.state_accessor.get_join_rules(room_id).await;
+
+		if let JoinRule::Restricted(conditions) | JoinRule::KnockRestricted(conditions) =
+			join_rules
+		{
+			match services
+				.rooms
+				.membership
+				.evaluate_join_conditions(room_id, &sender, &conditions)
+				.await
+			{
+				| JoinConditionResult::Satisfied => {
+					// Sign the join to prove that we checked the conditions.
+
+					services
+						.server_keys
+						.hash_and_sign_event(&mut pdu, room_version_rules)
+						.map_err(|e| {
+							err!(Request(InvalidParam(warn!(
+								"Failed to sign send_join event: {e}"
+							))))
+						})?;
+				},
+				| JoinConditionResult::Unsatisfied => {
+					return Err!(Request(Forbidden(
+						"You do not satisfy this room's join conditions."
+					)));
+				},
+				| JoinConditionResult::UnableToAuthorizeJoin => {
+					return Err!(Request(UnableToAuthorizeJoin(
+						"This server cannot check this room's join conditions."
+					)));
+				},
+			}
+		} else {
+			// We can't sign this, and if we don't sign it our event will fail
+			// the auth check, so we have to bail out here.
+			return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
+				"join_authorized_via_users_server was supplied for a room that is not restricted"
 			)));
 		}
-
-		services
-			.server_keys
-			.hash_and_sign_event(&mut pdu, room_version_rules)
-			.map_err(|e| {
-				err!(Request(InvalidParam(warn!("Failed to sign send_join event: {e}"))))
-			})?;
 	}
 
 	let mutex_lock = services
diff --git a/src/service/antispam/mod.rs b/src/service/antispam/mod.rs
index 3e235e264..93eda539b 100644
--- a/src/service/antispam/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/antispam/mod.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 };
 use ruminuwuity::{draupnir_antispam, meowlnir_antispam};
 
-use crate::{client, config, sending, service::Dep};
+use crate::{client, config, rooms::membership::JoinConditionResult, sending, service::Dep};
 
 struct Services {
 	server: Arc<Server>,
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ pub async fn user_may_invite(
 			} else {
 				Ok(())
 			};
-			self.record("user_may_invite", &result);
+			self.record("user_may_invite", if result.is_ok() { "allowed" } else { "denied" });
 			return result;
 		}
 		Ok(())
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ pub async fn user_may_join_room(
 			} else {
 				Ok(())
 			};
-			self.record("user_may_join_room", &result);
+			self.record("user_may_join_room", if result.is_ok() { "allowed" } else { "denied" });
 			return result;
 		}
 		Ok(())
@@ -161,10 +161,10 @@ pub async fn meowlnir_accept_make_join(
 		&self,
 		room_id: OwnedRoomId,
 		user_id: OwnedUserId,
-	) -> Result<()> {
+	) -> JoinConditionResult {
 		if let Some(Antispam { meowlnir: Some(meowlnir), .. }) = &self.services.config.antispam {
 			debug!(?room_id, ?user_id, "Asking meowlnir for accept_make_join");
-			let result = self
+			match self
 				.send_antispam_request(
 					meowlnir.base_url.as_str(),
 					&meowlnir.secret,
@@ -175,18 +175,24 @@ pub async fn meowlnir_accept_make_join(
 					),
 				)
 				.await
-				.inspect(|_| debug!("meowlnir allowed the make_join"))
-				.inspect_err(|e| debug!("meowlnir denied the make_join: {e:?}"))
-				.map(|_| ());
-			self.record("accept_make_join", &result);
-			result
+			{
+				| Ok(_) => {
+					debug!("meowlnir allowed the make_join");
+					self.record("accept_make_join", "allowed");
+					JoinConditionResult::Satisfied
+				},
+				| Err(err) => {
+					debug!("meowlnir denied the make_join: {err:?}");
+					self.record("accept_make_join", "denied");
+					JoinConditionResult::Unsatisfied
+				},
+			}
 		} else {
-			Ok(())
+			JoinConditionResult::UnableToAuthorizeJoin
 		}
 	}
 
-	fn record(&self, check: &'static str, result: &Result) {
-		let outcome = if result.is_ok() { "allowed" } else { "denied" };
+	fn record(&self, check: &'static str, outcome: &'static str) {
 		self.services
 			.server
 			.metrics
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/membership/mod.rs b/src/service/rooms/membership/mod.rs
index 2f9a926c5..b8a2ed299 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/membership/mod.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/membership/mod.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 
 use conduwuit::{
 	Err, Event, Pdu, Result, Server, debug, debug_info, debug_warn, defer, err, error, info,
-	is_true,
 	matrix::{
 		StateKey,
 		event::{gen_event_id, gen_event_id_canonical_json},
@@ -24,12 +23,9 @@
 	canonical_json::to_canonical_value,
 	events::{
 		StateEventType, StaticEventContent,
-		room::{
-			join_rules::RoomJoinRulesEventContent,
-			member::{MembershipState, RoomMemberEventContent},
-		},
+		room::member::{MembershipState, RoomMemberEventContent},
 	},
-	room::{AllowRule, JoinRule},
+	room::{AllowRule, JoinRule, Restricted, RoomMembership},
 };
 
 use crate::{
@@ -44,6 +40,18 @@
 	sending, server_keys, sync, users,
 };
 
+#[derive(PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum JoinConditionResult {
+	/// The local server verified that the user satisfies at least one join
+	/// condition.
+	Satisfied,
+	/// The local server verified that the user does not satisfy any join
+	/// conditions.
+	Unsatisfied,
+	/// The local server could not check all join conditions.
+	UnableToAuthorizeJoin,
+}
+
 pub struct Service {
 	services: Services,
 }
@@ -110,16 +118,36 @@ pub async fn join_room(
 	) -> Result<OwnedRoomId> {
 		assert!(self.services.globals.user_is_local(sender_user), "user should be local");
 
+		let servers: Vec<_> = servers
+			.iter()
+			.filter(|server| !self.services.globals.server_is_ours(server))
+			.collect();
+
 		let state_lock = self.services.state.mutex.lock(room_id).await;
 
-		if self
+		let server_in_room = self
 			.services
 			.state_cache
-			.is_joined(sender_user, room_id)
-			.await
-		{
-			debug_warn!("{sender_user} is already joined in {room_id}");
+			.server_in_room(self.services.globals.server_name(), room_id)
+			.await;
+
+		// Only check our known membership if we're already in the room.
+		// See: https://forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/continuwuity/issues/855
+		let current_membership = if server_in_room {
+			self.services
+				.state_accessor
+				.get_member(room_id, sender_user)
+				.await
+				.ok()
+				.map_or_else(|| MembershipState::Leave, |content| content.membership)
+		} else {
+			MembershipState::Leave
+		};
+
+		if current_membership == MembershipState::Join {
 			return Ok(room_id.to_owned());
+		} else if current_membership == MembershipState::Ban {
+			return Err!(Request(Forbidden("You are banned from this room.")));
 		}
 
 		if let Err(e) = self
@@ -137,31 +165,16 @@ pub async fn join_room(
 		{
 			warn!("Antispam prevented user {} from joining room {}: {}", sender_user, room_id, e);
 			return Err!(Request(Forbidden("You are not allowed to join this room.")));
-		}
-
-		let server_in_room = self
-			.services
-			.state_cache
-			.server_in_room(self.services.globals.server_name(), room_id)
-			.await;
-
-		// Only check our known membership if we're already in the room.
-		// See: https://forgejo.ellis.link/continuwuation/continuwuity/issues/855
-		let membership = if server_in_room {
-			self.services
-				.state_accessor
-				.get_member(room_id, sender_user)
+		} else if self.services.antispam.check_all_joins() {
+			if self
+				.services
+				.antispam
+				.meowlnir_accept_make_join(room_id.to_owned(), sender_user.to_owned())
 				.await
-		} else {
-			debug!("Ignoring local state for join {room_id}, we aren't in the room yet.");
-			Ok(RoomMemberEventContent::new(MembershipState::Leave))
-		};
-
-		if let Ok(m) = membership {
-			if m.membership == MembershipState::Ban {
-				debug_warn!("{sender_user} is banned from {room_id} but attempted to join");
-				// TODO: return reason
-				return Err!(Request(Forbidden("You are banned from the room.")));
+				!= JoinConditionResult::Satisfied
+			{
+				warn!("Antispam prevented user {} from joining room {}", sender_user, room_id);
+				return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Antispam rejected join request.")));
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -172,31 +185,38 @@ pub async fn join_room(
 			)));
 		}
 
-		if self.services.antispam.check_all_joins() {
-			if let Err(e) = self
-				.services
-				.antispam
-				.meowlnir_accept_make_join(room_id.to_owned(), sender_user.to_owned())
+		if server_in_room {
+			// Try to join the room locally.
+			match self
+				.join_local_room(
+					sender_user,
+					room_id,
+					current_membership,
+					reason.clone(),
+					&state_lock,
+				)
+				.boxed()
 				.await
 			{
-				warn!(
-					"Antispam prevented user {} from joining room {}: {}",
-					sender_user, room_id, e
-				);
-				return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Antispam rejected join request.")));
+				| Ok(()) => {
+					// We were able to authorize a local join.
+					info!("Joined room locally");
+					return Ok(room_id.to_owned());
+				},
+				| Err(err) => {
+					// We couldn't authorize a local join, probably because it's
+					// restricted and we couldn't satisfy
+					// the join rules ourselves.
+					info!(?err, "Failed to join room locally, trying over federation instead");
+				},
 			}
 		}
 
-		if server_in_room {
-			self.join_local_room(sender_user, room_id, reason, servers, state_lock)
-				.boxed()
-				.await?;
-		} else {
-			// Ask a remote server if we are not participating in this room
-			self.join_remote_room(sender_user, room_id, reason, servers, state_lock)
-				.boxed()
-				.await?;
-		}
+		// If we aren't participating in the room, or failed to join locally,
+		// try to join over federation.
+		self.join_remote_room(sender_user, room_id, reason, &servers, &state_lock)
+			.boxed()
+			.await?;
 
 		Ok(room_id.to_owned())
 	}
@@ -206,39 +226,39 @@ async fn join_local_room(
 		&self,
 		sender_user: &UserId,
 		room_id: &RoomId,
+		current_membership: MembershipState,
 		reason: Option<String>,
-		servers: &[OwnedServerName],
-		state_lock: RoomMutexGuard,
+		state_lock: &RoomMutexGuard,
 	) -> Result {
 		info!("Joining room locally");
 
-		let (room_version, join_rules, is_invited) = join!(
+		let (room_version, join_rules) = join!(
 			self.services.state.get_room_version(room_id),
 			self.services.state_accessor.get_join_rules(room_id),
-			self.services.state_cache.is_invited(sender_user, room_id)
 		);
 
 		let room_version = room_version?;
 		let room_version_rules = room_version.rules().unwrap();
 
 		let mut auth_user: Option<OwnedUserId> = None;
-		if !is_invited
-			&& matches!(join_rules, JoinRule::Restricted(_) | JoinRule::KnockRestricted(_))
+
+		if !matches!(current_membership, MembershipState::Invite | MembershipState::Knock)
+			&& let JoinRule::Restricted(conditions) | JoinRule::KnockRestricted(conditions) =
+				&join_rules
 		{
 			if room_version_rules.authorization.restricted_join_rule {
 				// This is a restricted room, check if we can complete the join
 				// requirements locally.
-				let needs_auth_user = self
-					.user_can_perform_restricted_join(sender_user, room_id)
-					.await;
-				if needs_auth_user.is_ok_and(is_true!()) {
-					// If there was an error or the value is false, we'll try
-					// joining over federation. Since it's Ok(true), we can
-					// authorise this locally. If we can't select a local
-					// user, this will remain None, the join will fail, and
-					// we'll fall back to federation.
+				if self
+					.evaluate_join_conditions(room_id, sender_user, conditions)
+					.await
+					== JoinConditionResult::Satisfied
+				{
+					// Try to find an authorizing user. If we can't find one,
+					// the local join will fail to authorize and we'll fall back
+					// to federation.
 					auth_user = self
-						.select_authorising_user(room_id, sender_user, &state_lock)
+						.select_authorizing_user(room_id, sender_user, state_lock)
 						.await
 						.ok();
 				}
@@ -251,54 +271,27 @@ async fn join_local_room(
 		content.reason.clone_from(&reason);
 		content.join_authorized_via_users_server = auth_user;
 
-		// Try normal join first
-		let Err(error) = self
-			.services
+		self.services
 			.timeline
 			.build_and_append_pdu(
 				PartialPdu::state(sender_user.to_string(), &content),
 				sender_user,
 				Some(room_id),
-				&state_lock,
+				state_lock,
 			)
-			.await
-		else {
-			info!("Joined room locally");
-			return Ok(());
-		};
+			.await?;
 
-		if servers.is_empty()
-			|| servers.len() == 1 && self.services.globals.server_is_ours(&servers[0])
-		{
-			if !self.services.metadata.exists(room_id).await {
-				return Err!(Request(
-					Unknown(
-						"Room was not found locally and no servers were found to help us \
-						 discover it"
-					),
-					NOT_FOUND
-				));
-			}
-
-			return Err(error);
-		}
-
-		info!(
-			?error,
-			remote_servers = %servers.len(),
-			"Could not join room locally, attempting remote join",
-		);
-		Box::pin(self.join_remote_room(sender_user, room_id, reason, servers, state_lock)).await
+		Ok(())
 	}
 
 	#[tracing::instrument(skip_all, fields(%sender_user, %room_id), name = "join_remote_room", level = "info")]
-	pub async fn join_remote_room(
+	async fn join_remote_room(
 		&self,
 		sender_user: &UserId,
 		room_id: &RoomId,
 		reason: Option<String>,
-		servers: &[OwnedServerName],
-		state_lock: RoomMutexGuard,
+		servers: &[&OwnedServerName],
+		state_lock: &RoomMutexGuard,
 	) -> Result {
 		// public so the admin command force-join-room-remotely works
 		info!("Joining {room_id} over federation.");
@@ -657,7 +650,7 @@ pub async fn join_remote_room(
 		debug!("Forcing state for new room");
 		self.services
 			.state
-			.force_state(room_id, statehash_before_join, added, removed, &state_lock)
+			.force_state(room_id, statehash_before_join, added, removed, state_lock)
 			.await?;
 
 		debug!("Updating joined counts for new room");
@@ -679,7 +672,7 @@ pub async fn join_remote_room(
 				&parsed_join_pdu,
 				join_event,
 				once(parsed_join_pdu.event_id.as_ref()),
-				&state_lock,
+				state_lock,
 				room_id,
 			)
 			.await?;
@@ -694,7 +687,7 @@ pub async fn join_remote_room(
 		// exist
 		self.services
 			.state
-			.set_room_state(room_id, statehash_after_join, &state_lock);
+			.set_room_state(room_id, statehash_after_join, state_lock);
 		if !resident_before {
 			// NOTE: We replace local extremities for this room if we were not a
 			// resident before. We might be doing a remote join to satisfy
@@ -704,7 +697,7 @@ pub async fn join_remote_room(
 			info!("Replacing local forward extremities");
 			self.services
 				.state
-				.set_forward_extremities(room_id, once(parsed_join_pdu.event_id()), &state_lock)
+				.set_forward_extremities(room_id, once(parsed_join_pdu.event_id()), state_lock)
 				.await;
 		}
 		drop(cork);
@@ -722,7 +715,7 @@ async fn make_join_request(
 		&self,
 		sender_user: &UserId,
 		room_id: &RoomId,
-		servers: &[OwnedServerName],
+		servers: &[&OwnedServerName],
 	) -> Result<(federation::membership::prepare_join_event::v1::Response, OwnedServerName)> {
 		let mut make_join_counter: usize = 1;
 
@@ -762,7 +755,7 @@ async fn make_join_request(
 						warn!("make_join response from {remote_server} failed validation: {e}");
 						continue;
 					}
-					return Ok((response, remote_server.clone()));
+					return Ok((response, (*remote_server).clone()));
 				},
 				| Err(e) => match e.kind() {
 					| ErrorKind::UnableToAuthorizeJoin => {
@@ -810,7 +803,7 @@ async fn make_join_request(
 
 	/// Attempts to find a user who is able to issue an invite in the target
 	/// room.
-	pub async fn select_authorising_user<'a>(
+	pub async fn select_authorizing_user<'a>(
 		&self,
 		room_id: &'a RoomId,
 		user_id: &'a UserId,
@@ -838,108 +831,99 @@ pub async fn select_authorising_user<'a>(
 
 	/// Checks whether the given user can join the given room via a restricted
 	/// join.
-	pub(crate) async fn user_can_perform_restricted_join(
+	pub async fn evaluate_join_conditions(
 		&self,
-		user_id: &UserId,
 		room_id: &RoomId,
-	) -> Result<bool> {
-		let Ok(join_rules_event_content) = self
-			.services
-			.state_accessor
-			.room_state_get_content::<RoomJoinRulesEventContent>(
-				room_id,
-				&StateEventType::RoomJoinRules,
-				"",
-			)
-			.await
-		else {
-			// No join rules means there's nothing to authorise (defaults to
-			// invite)
-			return Ok(false);
-		};
-
-		let (JoinRule::Restricted(r) | JoinRule::KnockRestricted(r)) =
-			join_rules_event_content.join_rule
-		else {
-			// This is not a restricted room
-			return Ok(false);
-		};
-
-		if r.allow.is_empty() {
+		user_id: &UserId,
+		conditions: &Restricted,
+	) -> JoinConditionResult {
+		if conditions.allow.is_empty() {
 			// This will never be authorisable, return forbidden.
-			return Err!(Request(Forbidden("You are not invited to this room.")));
+			return JoinConditionResult::Unsatisfied;
 		}
 
-		let mut could_satisfy = true;
-		for allow_rule in &r.allow {
-			match allow_rule {
-				| AllowRule::RoomMembership(membership) => {
-					if !self
-						.services
-						.state_cache
-						.server_in_room(self.services.globals.server_name(), &membership.room_id)
-						.await
-					{
-						// Since we can't check this room, mark could_satisfy as
-						// false so that we can return
-						// M_UNABLE_TO_AUTHORIZE_JOIN later.
-						could_satisfy = false;
-						continue;
-					}
+		let mut unable_to_authorize = false;
 
-					if self
-						.services
-						.state_cache
-						.is_joined(user_id, &membership.room_id)
-						.await
-					{
-						debug!(
-							"User {} is allowed to join room {} via membership in room {}",
-							user_id, room_id, membership.room_id
-						);
-						return Ok(true);
-					}
+		for rule in &conditions.allow {
+			match self.evaluate_allow_rule(room_id, user_id, rule).await {
+				| JoinConditionResult::Satisfied => {
+					// This allow rule is satisfied, the user can join.
+					return JoinConditionResult::Satisfied;
 				},
-				| other if other.rule_type() == "fi.mau.spam_checker" =>
-					return match self
-						.services
-						.antispam
-						.meowlnir_accept_make_join(room_id.to_owned(), user_id.to_owned())
-						.await
-					{
-						| Ok(()) => Ok(true),
-						| Err(_) => Err!(Request(Forbidden("Antispam rejected join request."))),
-					},
-				| _ => {
-					// We don't recognise this join rule, so we cannot satisfy
-					// the request.
-					could_satisfy = false;
-					debug_info!(
-						"Unsupported allow rule in restricted join for room {}: {:?}",
-						room_id,
-						allow_rule
-					);
+				| JoinConditionResult::Unsatisfied => {
+					// This allow rule is not satisfied, but the user might be
+					// able to join if they satisfy another
+					// rule. Keep checking.
+					continue;
+				},
+				| JoinConditionResult::UnableToAuthorizeJoin => {
+					// We couldn't check this allow rule, but the user might be
+					// able to join if they satisfy another
+					// rule. Keep checking.
+					unable_to_authorize = true;
+					continue;
 				},
 			}
 		}
 
-		if could_satisfy {
-			// We were able to check all the restrictions and can be certain
-			// that the prospective member is not permitted to join.
-			Err!(Request(Forbidden(
-				"You do not belong to any of the rooms or spaces required to join this room."
-			)))
+		if unable_to_authorize {
+			// We couldn't conclusively determine if the user satisfies some
+			// rules.
+			JoinConditionResult::UnableToAuthorizeJoin
 		} else {
-			// We were unable to check all the restrictions. This usually means
-			// we aren't in one of the rooms this one is restricted to, ergo
-			// can't check its state for the user's membership, and
-			// consequently the user *might* be able to join if
-			// they ask another server.
-			Err!(Request(UnableToAuthorizeJoin(
-				"You do not belong to any of the recognised rooms or spaces required to join \
-				 this room, but this server is unable to verify every requirement. You may be \
-				 able to join via another server."
-			)))
+			// We determined that the user does not satisfy any rules.
+			JoinConditionResult::Unsatisfied
+		}
+	}
+
+	async fn evaluate_allow_rule(
+		&self,
+		room_id: &RoomId,
+		user_id: &UserId,
+		rule: &AllowRule,
+	) -> JoinConditionResult {
+		match rule {
+			| AllowRule::RoomMembership(RoomMembership { room_id: condition_room, .. }) => {
+				if self
+					.services
+					.state_cache
+					.server_in_room(self.services.globals.server_name(), condition_room)
+					.await
+				{
+					if self
+						.services
+						.state_cache
+						.is_joined(user_id, condition_room)
+						.await
+					{
+						debug!(
+							?user_id,
+							?room_id,
+							?condition_room,
+							"User may join via membership in {condition_room}"
+						);
+						JoinConditionResult::Satisfied
+					} else {
+						JoinConditionResult::Unsatisfied
+					}
+				} else {
+					JoinConditionResult::UnableToAuthorizeJoin
+				}
+			},
+			| other if other.rule_type() == "fi.mau.spam_checker" =>
+				self.services
+					.antispam
+					.meowlnir_accept_make_join(room_id.to_owned(), user_id.to_owned())
+					.await,
+			| unknown => {
+				debug!(
+					?user_id,
+					?room_id,
+					rule_type = unknown.rule_type(),
+					"Could not check unknown allow rule"
+				);
+				JoinConditionResult::UnableToAuthorizeJoin
+			},
 		}
 	}
 }