diff --git a/crates/ruma-common/CHANGELOG.md b/crates/ruma-common/CHANGELOG.md
index af2e2fba..37285a90 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-common/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/crates/ruma-common/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ Breaking changes:
   * Move common relation structs under `events::room::encrypted` to `events::relation` and remove
     duplicate types
   * Remove `events::reaction::Relation` and use `events::relation::Annotation` instead
+  * Remove `events::key::verification::Relation` and use `events::relation::Reference` instead
 
 Improvements:
 
diff --git a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/enums.rs b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/enums.rs
index 1bf83e15..a2bcdf25 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/enums.rs
+++ b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/enums.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ use serde::{de, Deserialize};
 use serde_json::value::RawValue as RawJsonValue;
 
 use super::{
-    key,
     room::{encrypted, redaction::SyncRoomRedactionEvent},
     Redact, Relations,
 };
@@ -325,11 +324,8 @@ impl AnyMessageLikeEventContent {
             | Self::KeyVerificationKey(KeyVerificationKeyEventContent { relates_to, .. })
             | Self::KeyVerificationMac(KeyVerificationMacEventContent { relates_to, .. })
             | Self::KeyVerificationDone(KeyVerificationDoneEventContent { relates_to, .. }) => {
-                let key::verification::Relation { event_id } = relates_to;
-                Some(encrypted::Relation::Reference(Reference {
-                    event_id: event_id.clone(),
-                }))
-            }
+                Some(encrypted::Relation::Reference(relates_to.clone()))
+            },
             #[cfg(feature = "unstable-msc2677")]
             Self::Reaction(ev) => Some(encrypted::Relation::Annotation(ev.relates_to.clone())),
             Self::RoomEncrypted(ev) => ev.relates_to.clone(),
diff --git a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification.rs b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification.rs
index 6283ef9a..16f62155 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification.rs
+++ b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification.rs
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
 //!
 //! [MSC2241]: https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/2241
 
-use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-
-use crate::{serde::StringEnum, OwnedEventId, PrivOwnedStr};
+use crate::{serde::StringEnum, PrivOwnedStr};
 
 pub mod accept;
 pub mod cancel;
@@ -86,22 +84,6 @@ pub enum ShortAuthenticationString {
     _Custom(PrivOwnedStr),
 }
 
-/// A relation which associates an `m.key.verification.request` with another key verification event.
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, Serialize)]
-#[cfg_attr(not(feature = "unstable-exhaustive-types"), non_exhaustive)]
-#[serde(tag = "rel_type", rename = "m.reference")]
-pub struct Relation {
-    /// The event ID of a related `m.key.verification.request`.
-    pub event_id: OwnedEventId,
-}
-
-impl Relation {
-    /// Creates a new `Relation` with the given event ID.
-    pub fn new(event_id: OwnedEventId) -> Self {
-        Self { event_id }
-    }
-}
-
 /// A Short Authentication String (SAS) verification method.
 #[doc = include_str!(concat!(env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"), "/src/doc/string_enum.md"))]
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, StringEnum)]
diff --git a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/accept.rs b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/accept.rs
index b3e2ddcb..764b5df9 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/accept.rs
+++ b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/accept.rs
@@ -9,10 +9,9 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use serde_json::Value as JsonValue;
 
 use super::{
-    HashAlgorithm, KeyAgreementProtocol, MessageAuthenticationCode, Relation,
-    ShortAuthenticationString,
+    HashAlgorithm, KeyAgreementProtocol, MessageAuthenticationCode, ShortAuthenticationString,
 };
-use crate::{serde::Base64, OwnedTransactionId};
+use crate::{events::relation::Reference, serde::Base64, OwnedTransactionId};
 
 /// The content of a to-device `m.key.verification.accept` event.
 ///
@@ -52,13 +51,13 @@ pub struct KeyVerificationAcceptEventContent {
 
     /// Information about the related event.
     #[serde(rename = "m.relates_to")]
-    pub relates_to: Relation,
+    pub relates_to: Reference,
 }
 
 impl KeyVerificationAcceptEventContent {
     /// Creates a new `ToDeviceKeyVerificationAcceptEventContent` with the given method-specific
-    /// content and relation.
-    pub fn new(method: AcceptMethod, relates_to: Relation) -> Self {
+    /// content and reference.
+    pub fn new(method: AcceptMethod, relates_to: Reference) -> Self {
         Self { method, relates_to }
     }
 }
@@ -176,7 +175,7 @@ mod tests {
     };
     use crate::{
         event_id,
-        events::{key::verification::Relation, ToDeviceEvent},
+        events::{relation::Reference, ToDeviceEvent},
         serde::Base64,
         user_id,
     };
@@ -248,7 +247,7 @@ mod tests {
         let event_id = event_id!("$1598361704261elfgc:localhost");
 
         let key_verification_accept_content = KeyVerificationAcceptEventContent {
-            relates_to: Relation { event_id: event_id.to_owned() },
+            relates_to: Reference { event_id: event_id.to_owned() },
             method: AcceptMethod::SasV1(SasV1Content {
                 hash: HashAlgorithm::Sha256,
                 key_agreement_protocol: KeyAgreementProtocol::Curve25519,
diff --git a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/cancel.rs b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/cancel.rs
index cd2b241e..41b0f170 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/cancel.rs
+++ b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/cancel.rs
@@ -5,8 +5,7 @@
 use ruma_macros::EventContent;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-use super::Relation;
-use crate::{serde::StringEnum, OwnedTransactionId, PrivOwnedStr};
+use crate::{events::relation::Reference, serde::StringEnum, OwnedTransactionId, PrivOwnedStr};
 
 /// The content of a to-device `m.key.verification.cancel` event.
 ///
@@ -52,12 +51,12 @@ pub struct KeyVerificationCancelEventContent {
 
     /// Information about the related event.
     #[serde(rename = "m.relates_to")]
-    pub relates_to: Relation,
+    pub relates_to: Reference,
 }
 
 impl KeyVerificationCancelEventContent {
-    /// Creates a new `KeyVerificationCancelEventContent` with the given reason, code and relation.
-    pub fn new(reason: String, code: CancelCode, relates_to: Relation) -> Self {
+    /// Creates a new `KeyVerificationCancelEventContent` with the given reason, code and reference.
+    pub fn new(reason: String, code: CancelCode, relates_to: Reference) -> Self {
         Self { reason, code, relates_to }
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/done.rs b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/done.rs
index 7cfa5f93..82bc9275 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/done.rs
+++ b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/done.rs
@@ -5,8 +5,7 @@
 use ruma_macros::EventContent;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-use super::Relation;
-use crate::OwnedTransactionId;
+use crate::{events::relation::Reference, OwnedTransactionId};
 
 /// The content of a to-device `m.m.key.verification.done` event.
 ///
@@ -37,12 +36,12 @@ impl ToDeviceKeyVerificationDoneEventContent {
 pub struct KeyVerificationDoneEventContent {
     /// Relation signaling which verification request this event is responding to.
     #[serde(rename = "m.relates_to")]
-    pub relates_to: Relation,
+    pub relates_to: Reference,
 }
 
 impl KeyVerificationDoneEventContent {
-    /// Creates a new `KeyVerificationDoneEventContent` with the given relation.
-    pub fn new(relates_to: Relation) -> Self {
+    /// Creates a new `KeyVerificationDoneEventContent` with the given reference.
+    pub fn new(relates_to: Reference) -> Self {
         Self { relates_to }
     }
 }
@@ -52,7 +51,7 @@ mod tests {
     use serde_json::{from_value as from_json_value, json, to_value as to_json_value};
 
     use super::KeyVerificationDoneEventContent;
-    use crate::{event_id, events::key::verification::Relation};
+    use crate::{event_id, events::relation::Reference};
 
     #[test]
     fn serialization() {
@@ -65,7 +64,7 @@ mod tests {
             }
         });
 
-        let content = KeyVerificationDoneEventContent { relates_to: Relation { event_id } };
+        let content = KeyVerificationDoneEventContent { relates_to: Reference { event_id } };
 
         assert_eq!(to_json_value(&content).unwrap(), json_data);
     }
diff --git a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/key.rs b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/key.rs
index e6bf2728..8fd2fa87 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/key.rs
+++ b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/key.rs
@@ -5,8 +5,7 @@
 use ruma_macros::EventContent;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-use super::Relation;
-use crate::{serde::Base64, OwnedTransactionId};
+use crate::{events::relation::Reference, serde::Base64, OwnedTransactionId};
 
 /// The content of a to-device `m.key.verification.key` event.
 ///
@@ -44,12 +43,12 @@ pub struct KeyVerificationKeyEventContent {
 
     /// Information about the related event.
     #[serde(rename = "m.relates_to")]
-    pub relates_to: Relation,
+    pub relates_to: Reference,
 }
 
 impl KeyVerificationKeyEventContent {
-    /// Creates a new `KeyVerificationKeyEventContent` with the given key and relation.
-    pub fn new(key: Base64, relates_to: Relation) -> Self {
+    /// Creates a new `KeyVerificationKeyEventContent` with the given key and reference.
+    pub fn new(key: Base64, relates_to: Reference) -> Self {
         Self { key, relates_to }
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/mac.rs b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/mac.rs
index 0d2b283c..d48fe170 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/mac.rs
+++ b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/mac.rs
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@ use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use ruma_macros::EventContent;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-use super::Relation;
-use crate::{serde::Base64, OwnedTransactionId};
+use crate::{events::relation::Reference, serde::Base64, OwnedTransactionId};
 
 /// The content of a to-device `m.key.verification.` event.
 ///
@@ -62,13 +61,13 @@ pub struct KeyVerificationMacEventContent {
 
     /// Information about the related event.
     #[serde(rename = "m.relates_to")]
-    pub relates_to: Relation,
+    pub relates_to: Reference,
 }
 
 impl KeyVerificationMacEventContent {
     /// Creates a new `KeyVerificationMacEventContent` with the given key ID to MAC map, key MAC and
-    /// relation.
-    pub fn new(mac: BTreeMap<String, Base64>, keys: Base64, relates_to: Relation) -> Self {
+    /// reference.
+    pub fn new(mac: BTreeMap<String, Base64>, keys: Base64, relates_to: Reference) -> Self {
         Self { mac, keys, relates_to }
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/ready.rs b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/ready.rs
index 7c4b81cf..0430f79e 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/ready.rs
+++ b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/ready.rs
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@
 use ruma_macros::EventContent;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-use super::{Relation, VerificationMethod};
-use crate::{OwnedDeviceId, OwnedTransactionId};
+use super::VerificationMethod;
+use crate::{events::relation::Reference, OwnedDeviceId, OwnedTransactionId};
 
 /// The content of a to-device `m.m.key.verification.ready` event.
 ///
@@ -57,16 +57,16 @@ pub struct KeyVerificationReadyEventContent {
     /// Relation signaling which verification request this event is responding
     /// to.
     #[serde(rename = "m.relates_to")]
-    pub relates_to: Relation,
+    pub relates_to: Reference,
 }
 
 impl KeyVerificationReadyEventContent {
     /// Creates a new `KeyVerificationReadyEventContent` with the given device ID, methods and
-    /// relation.
+    /// reference.
     pub fn new(
         from_device: OwnedDeviceId,
         methods: Vec<VerificationMethod>,
-        relates_to: Relation,
+        relates_to: Reference,
     ) -> Self {
         Self { from_device, methods, relates_to }
     }
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ mod tests {
     use super::{KeyVerificationReadyEventContent, ToDeviceKeyVerificationReadyEventContent};
     use crate::{
         event_id,
-        events::key::verification::{Relation, VerificationMethod},
+        events::{key::verification::VerificationMethod, relation::Reference},
         OwnedDeviceId,
     };
 
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         let content = KeyVerificationReadyEventContent {
             from_device: device.clone(),
-            relates_to: Relation { event_id },
+            relates_to: Reference { event_id },
             methods: vec![VerificationMethod::SasV1],
         };
 
diff --git a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/start.rs b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/start.rs
index a711619f..c5021744 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/start.rs
+++ b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/key/verification/start.rs
@@ -9,10 +9,9 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use serde_json::Value as JsonValue;
 
 use super::{
-    HashAlgorithm, KeyAgreementProtocol, MessageAuthenticationCode, Relation,
-    ShortAuthenticationString,
+    HashAlgorithm, KeyAgreementProtocol, MessageAuthenticationCode, ShortAuthenticationString,
 };
-use crate::{serde::Base64, OwnedDeviceId, OwnedTransactionId};
+use crate::{events::relation::Reference, serde::Base64, OwnedDeviceId, OwnedTransactionId};
 
 /// The content of a to-device `m.key.verification.start` event.
 ///
@@ -64,13 +63,13 @@ pub struct KeyVerificationStartEventContent {
 
     /// Information about the related event.
     #[serde(rename = "m.relates_to")]
-    pub relates_to: Relation,
+    pub relates_to: Reference,
 }
 
 impl KeyVerificationStartEventContent {
     /// Creates a new `KeyVerificationStartEventContent` with the given device ID, method and
-    /// relation.
-    pub fn new(from_device: OwnedDeviceId, method: StartMethod, relates_to: Relation) -> Self {
+    /// reference.
+    pub fn new(from_device: OwnedDeviceId, method: StartMethod, relates_to: Reference) -> Self {
         Self { from_device, method, relates_to }
     }
 }
@@ -218,7 +217,7 @@ mod tests {
     };
     use crate::{
         event_id,
-        events::{key::verification::Relation, ToDeviceEvent},
+        events::{relation::Reference, ToDeviceEvent},
         serde::Base64,
         user_id,
     };
@@ -315,7 +314,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         let key_verification_start_content = KeyVerificationStartEventContent {
             from_device: "123".into(),
-            relates_to: Relation { event_id: event_id.to_owned() },
+            relates_to: Reference { event_id: event_id.to_owned() },
             method: StartMethod::SasV1(
                 SasV1ContentInit {
                     hashes: vec![HashAlgorithm::Sha256],
@@ -346,7 +345,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         let key_verification_start_content = KeyVerificationStartEventContent {
             from_device: "123".into(),
-            relates_to: Relation { event_id: event_id.to_owned() },
+            relates_to: Reference { event_id: event_id.to_owned() },
             method: StartMethod::ReciprocateV1(ReciprocateV1Content::new(secret.clone())),
         };
 
diff --git a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/relation.rs b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/relation.rs
index 52ae83bb..4025710d 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-common/src/events/relation.rs
+++ b/crates/ruma-common/src/events/relation.rs
@@ -239,6 +239,7 @@ impl BundledThread {
 /// [reference]: https://spec.matrix.org/v1.5/client-server-api/#reference-relations
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Deserialize, Serialize)]
 #[cfg_attr(not(feature = "unstable-exhaustive-types"), non_exhaustive)]
+#[serde(tag = "rel_type", rename = "m.reference")]
 pub struct Reference {
     /// The ID of the event being referenced.
     pub event_id: OwnedEventId,