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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000908737-05-000739.txt : 20051028
<SEC-HEADER>0000908737-05-000739.hdr.sgml : 20051028
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051028133639
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000908737-05-000739
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051026
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051028
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051028

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001075415
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				043445278
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 CENTRE STREET
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02458
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6173323990

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PORTNOY BARRY M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001241559

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15319
		FILM NUMBER:		051162450

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O REIT MANAGEMENT RESEARCH LLC
		STREET 2:		400 CENTRE STREET
		CITY:			NEWTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02458
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6179281300
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bportnoyform4_oct28ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-10-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001075415</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NYSE:SNH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001241559</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PORTNOY BARRY M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O REIT MANAGEMENT &amp; RESEARCH LLC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>400 CENTRE STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02458</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares of Beneficial Interest</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-10-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>19509.5</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>108008.7</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Mr. Portnoy has previously reported a 50% proportionate ownership interest in 39,019 common shares of beneficial interest
(constituting 19,509.5 common shares) held by Reit Management &amp; Research LLC (&quot;RMR&quot;), of which Mr. Portnoy is a director
and 50% beneficial owner. On October 26, 2005 the other beneficial owner of RMR documented the transfer of a portion of his
beneficial ownership in RMR to Mr. Portnoy. As set forth above, Mr. Portnoy is in the Form reporting an indirect ownership
interest in all 39,019 common shares owned by RMR, but disclaims beneficial interest thereof except to the extent of his
pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">68,989.7 of such shares are held by Portnoy Family Corporation, a corporation of which Mr. Portnoy is the sole shareholder.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Barry M. Portnoy</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-10-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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