diff --git a/synapse/handlers/receipts.py b/synapse/handlers/receipts.py
index 1728089667..733e7c3752 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/receipts.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/receipts.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import logging
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
-from synapse.types import get_domain_from_id
+from synapse.types import ReadReceipt, get_domain_from_id
 
 from ._base import BaseHandler
 
@@ -42,13 +42,13 @@ class ReceiptsHandler(BaseHandler):
         """Called when we receive an EDU of type m.receipt from a remote HS.
         """
         receipts = [
-            {
-                "room_id": room_id,
-                "receipt_type": receipt_type,
-                "user_id": user_id,
-                "event_ids": user_values["event_ids"],
-                "data": user_values.get("data", {}),
-            }
+            ReadReceipt(
+                room_id=room_id,
+                receipt_type=receipt_type,
+                user_id=user_id,
+                event_ids=user_values["event_ids"],
+                data=user_values.get("data", {}),
+            )
             for room_id, room_values in content.items()
             for receipt_type, users in room_values.items()
             for user_id, user_values in users.items()
@@ -64,14 +64,12 @@ class ReceiptsHandler(BaseHandler):
         max_batch_id = None
 
         for receipt in receipts:
-            room_id = receipt["room_id"]
-            receipt_type = receipt["receipt_type"]
-            user_id = receipt["user_id"]
-            event_ids = receipt["event_ids"]
-            data = receipt["data"]
-
             res = yield self.store.insert_receipt(
-                room_id, receipt_type, user_id, event_ids, data
+                receipt.room_id,
+                receipt.receipt_type,
+                receipt.user_id,
+                receipt.event_ids,
+                receipt.data,
             )
 
             if not res:
@@ -107,15 +105,15 @@ class ReceiptsHandler(BaseHandler):
         """Called when a client tells us a local user has read up to the given
         event_id in the room.
         """
-        receipt = {
-            "room_id": room_id,
-            "receipt_type": receipt_type,
-            "user_id": user_id,
-            "event_ids": [event_id],
-            "data": {
+        receipt = ReadReceipt(
+            room_id=room_id,
+            receipt_type=receipt_type,
+            user_id=user_id,
+            event_ids=[event_id],
+            data={
                 "ts": int(self.clock.time_msec()),
-            }
-        }
+            },
+        )
 
         is_new = yield self._handle_new_receipts([receipt])
         if not is_new:
@@ -124,7 +122,7 @@ class ReceiptsHandler(BaseHandler):
         # Work out which remote servers should be poked and poke them.
 
         # TODO: optimise this to move some of the work to the workers.
-        data = receipt["data"]
+        data = receipt.data
 
         # XXX why does this not use state.get_current_hosts_in_room() ?
         users = yield self.state.get_current_user_in_room(room_id)
diff --git a/synapse/types.py b/synapse/types.py
index d8cb64addb..3de94b6335 100644
--- a/synapse/types.py
+++ b/synapse/types.py
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ import re
 import string
 from collections import namedtuple
 
+import attr
+
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 
 
@@ -455,3 +457,13 @@ class ThirdPartyInstanceID(
     @classmethod
     def create(cls, appservice_id, network_id,):
         return cls(appservice_id=appservice_id, network_id=network_id)
+
+
+@attr.s(slots=True)
+class ReadReceipt(object):
+    """Information about a read-receipt"""
+    room_id = attr.ib()
+    receipt_type = attr.ib()
+    user_id = attr.ib()
+    event_ids = attr.ib()
+    data = attr.ib()