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TABLE OF CONTENTS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2015

Registration No. 333-          

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) 04-3445278
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

Two Newton Place
255 Washington Street, Suite 300
Newton, Massachusetts 02458-1634
(617) 796-8350
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

Richard A. Doyle
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Senior Housing Properties Trust
Two Newton Place
255 Washington Street, Suite 300
Newton, Massachusetts 02458-1634
(617) 796-8350
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copy to:

Howard E. Berkenblit
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(617) 338-2800

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of the Registration Statement as determined by the Registrant.

            If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.    o

            If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.    ý

            If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

            If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

            If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    ý

            If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    o

            Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ý Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered	Amount to be Registered(1)	Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Unit(1)	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2)	Amount of Registration Fee(3)
Debt Securities
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest
Depositary Shares Representing Preferred Shares(4)
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value per share
Warrants
Total

(1)

Not specified as to each class of securities to be registered, pursuant to General Instruction II.E. of Form S-3. An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities, including under any anti-dilution provisions, or that are issued in units or represented by depositary shares. Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or in any combination with other securities registered hereunder.

(2)

Exclusive of accrued interest, distributions and dividends, if any.

(3)

In reliance on Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee.

(4)

Each depositary share will be issued under a deposit agreement and will be evidenced by a depositary receipt. In the event the Registrant elects to offer to the public fractional interests in preferred shares of beneficial interest registered hereunder, depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing such fractional interests, and preferred shares of beneficial interest will be issued to the depositary under the deposit agreement. No separate consideration will be received for the depositary shares.

PROSPECTUS

SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST

Debt Securities, Common Shares of Beneficial Interest,
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, Depositary Shares and Warrants

        We or our selling security holders may offer, issue and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings:

•

debt securities;

•

common shares of beneficial interest;

•

preferred shares of beneficial interest;

•

depositary shares; and

•

warrants.

        The securities described in this prospectus may be offered and sold separately or in any combination, and may include convertible or exchangeable securities.

        This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. The specific amounts and terms of any securities to be offered, issued or sold, and the identity of any selling security holders, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as well as the documents incorporated by reference in such documents before you decide to invest in any of these securities.

        We or our selling security holders may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The prospectus supplement for each offering will describe the terms of the plan of distribution and set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the securities. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities sold by any selling security holder.

        Our common shares of beneficial interest are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol "SNH." If any other securities offered by this prospectus will be listed on a securities exchange, such listing will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Investment in our securities involves risk, including those described under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 1 of this prospectus. You should carefully read and consider these risk factors and the risk factors included in the reports that we file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in any prospectus supplement relating to specific offerings of securities and in other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is June 26, 2015.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	i
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY	1
RISK FACTORS	1
WARNING CONCERNING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS	1
STATEMENT CONCERNING LIMITED LIABILITY	5
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES	6
USE OF PROCEEDS	6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	6
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST	17
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES	23
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	27
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BYLAWS	28
SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS	39
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	39
LEGAL MATTERS	41
EXPERTS	41
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	41
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE	42

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        References in this prospectus to "we," "us," "our" or "SNH" mean Senior Housing Properties Trust and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

        This prospectus is part of an "automatic shelf" registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a "well-known seasoned issuer" as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. Under this shelf registration process, we or our selling security holders may, from time to time, offer, issue and sell any of the securities or any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in such amounts and on such terms as set forth in a prospectus supplement in one or more offerings.

        This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered, which is not meant to be a complete description of each security. Each time we offer, issue or sell securities hereunder, or any selling security holder offers or sells securities hereunder, we or such selling security holder, as applicable, will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the amounts and terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the headings "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Information Incorporated By Reference." If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any relevant prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor any selling security holder will make an offer of the securities in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful. You should assume that the information in this prospectus and any relevant prospectus supplement, as well as the information in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated into this prospectus and any relevant prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date of the documents containing the information.

i

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        We are a real estate investment trust, or REIT, organized under Maryland law, which invests in senior living communities, including independent living communities, assisted living communities and nursing homes, wellness centers and properties leased to medical providers, medical related businesses, clinics and biotech laboratory tenants. As of March 31, 2015, we owned 392 properties (419 buildings) located in 39 states and Washington, D.C., including four properties (seven buildings) classified as held for sale. On that date, the undepreciated carrying value of our properties, net of impairment losses, was $6.7 billion, excluding four properties (seven buildings) classified as held for sale.

        Our principal executive offices are located at Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts 02458-1634, and our telephone number is (617) 796-8350. Our website is www.snhreit.com. The content of our website, and any information that is linked to our website (other than our filings with the SEC that are expressly incorporated by reference, as set forth under "Information Incorporated by Reference"), is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully review the risk factors contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, or our Annual Report, and any risk factors that we may describe in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K filed subsequently to our Annual Report, which risk factors are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the information contained under the heading "Warning Concerning Forward Looking Statements" in this prospectus or under any similar heading in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated herein or therein by reference, any specific risk factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated herein or therein by reference and the other information contained in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement before making an investment decision. If any such risks occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially harmed, the market price of our securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

WARNING CONCERNING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

THIS PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING THE DOCUMENTS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, CONTAINS STATEMENTS THAT CONSTITUTE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 AND OTHER SECURITIES LAWS. ALSO, WHENEVER WE USE WORDS SUCH AS "BELIEVE," "EXPECT," "ANTICIPATE," "INTEND," "PLAN," "ESTIMATE" OR SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS, WE ARE MAKING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED UPON OUR PRESENT INTENT, BELIEFS OR EXPECTATIONS, BUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO OCCUR AND MAY NOT OCCUR. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS RELATE TO VARIOUS ASPECTS OF OUR BUSINESS, INCLUDING:

•

OUR ACQUISITIONS AND SALES OF PROPERTIES,

•

OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE FOR ACQUISITIONS AND TENANCIES EFFECTIVELY,

•

OUR ABILITY TO RAISE EQUITY OR DEBT CAPITAL,

•

OUR ABILITY TO PAY DISTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS AND THE AMOUNT OF SUCH DISTRIBUTIONS,

1

•

OUR ABILITY TO RETAIN OUR EXISTING TENANTS, ATTRACT NEW TENANTS AND MAINTAIN OR INCREASE CURRENT RENTAL RATES,

•

THE CREDIT QUALITIES OF OUR TENANTS,

•

OUR POLICIES AND PLANS REGARDING INVESTMENTS AND FINANCINGS,

•

THE FUTURE AVAILABILITY OF BORROWINGS UNDER OUR REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY,

•

OUR ABILITY TO PAY INTEREST ON AND PRINCIPAL OF OUR DEBT,

•

OUR TAX STATUS AS A REIT,

•

OUR BELIEF THAT FIVE STAR QUALITY CARE, INC., OR FIVE STAR, OUR FORMER SUBSIDIARY, WHICH IS OUR LARGEST TENANT AND WHICH MANAGES CERTAIN OF OUR SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES FOR OUR ACCOUNT, HAS ADEQUATE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS TO US AND TO MANAGE OUR SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES SUCCESSFULLY, AND

•

OTHER MATTERS.

OUR ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN OR IMPLIED BY OUR FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF VARIOUS FACTORS. FACTORS THAT COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND UPON OUR BUSINESS, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, FINANCIAL CONDITION, FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS, NORMALIZED FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS, NET OPERATING INCOME, CASH BASIS NET OPERATING INCOME, CASH FLOWS, LIQUIDITY AND PROSPECTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

•

THE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY AND THE CAPITAL MARKETS ON US AND OUR TENANTS AND MANAGERS,

•

THE IMPACT OF THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, AS AMENDED BY THE HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION RECONCILIATION ACT, OR COLLECTIVELY, THE ACA, AND OTHER EXISTING OR PROPOSED LEGISLATION OR REGULATIONS ON US, ON OUR TENANTS AND MANAGERS AND ON THEIR ABILITY TO PAY OUR RENTS AND RETURNS,

•

ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WITH OUR MANAGING TRUSTEES, FIVE STAR, REIT MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH LLC, OR RMR LLC, REIT MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH INC., OR RMR INC, AFFILIATES INSURANCE COMPANY, OR AIC, D&R YONKERS LLC, SELECT INCOME REIT, OR SIR, AND THEIR RELATED PERSONS AND ENTITIES,

•

COMPLIANCE WITH, AND CHANGES TO, FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS, ACCOUNTING RULES, TAX LAWS AND SIMILAR MATTERS,

•

LIMITATIONS IMPOSED ON OUR BUSINESS AND OUR ABILITY TO SATISFY COMPLEX RULES IN ORDER FOR US TO QUALIFY AS A REIT FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES,

•

COMPETITION WITHIN THE HEALTHCARE AND REAL ESTATE INDUSTRIES, AND

•

ACTS OF TERRORISM, OUTBREAKS OF SO CALLED PANDEMICS OR OTHER MANMADE OR NATURAL DISASTERS BEYOND OUR CONTROL.

2

FOR EXAMPLE:

•

FIVE STAR IS OUR LARGEST TENANT AND MANAGES CERTAIN OF OUR SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES FOR OUR ACCOUNT AND FIVE STAR MAY EXPERIENCE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES AS A RESULT OF A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

•

MATERIAL WEAKNESSES IN ITS INTERNAL CONTROLS,

•

CHANGES IN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PAYMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE THAT MAY RESULT FROM THE ACA AND EXISTING OR PROPOSED LEGISLATION OR REGULATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN REDUCED RATES OR A FAILURE OF SUCH RATES TO COVER FIVE STAR'S COSTS,

•

CHANGES IN REGULATIONS AFFECTING FIVE STAR'S OPERATIONS,

•

CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY GENERALLY OR GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES WHICH REDUCE THE DEMAND FOR THE SERVICES FIVE STAR OFFERS,

•

INCREASES IN INSURANCE AND TORT LIABILITY AND OTHER COSTS,

•

INEFFECTIVE INTEGRATION OF NEW ACQUISITIONS AND LEASED AND MANAGED COMMUNITIES, AND

•

INSUFFICIENT ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND FINANCING,

•

IF FIVE STAR'S OPERATIONS BECOME UNPROFITABLE, FIVE STAR MAY BECOME UNABLE TO PAY OUR RENTS AND WE MAY NOT RECEIVE OUR EXPECTED RETURN ON OUR INVESTED CAPITAL OR ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS FROM OUR SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MANAGED BY FIVE STAR,

•

OUR ABILITY TO MAKE FUTURE DISTRIBUTIONS AND TO MAKE PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON OUR NOTES OR OUR OTHER INDEBTEDNESS DEPENDS UPON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING OUR FUTURE EARNINGS, THE CAPITAL COSTS WE INCUR TO LEASE AND OPERATE OUR PROPERTIES AND OUR WORKING CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS. WE MAY BE UNABLE TO PAY OUR DEBT OBLIGATIONS OR TO MAINTAIN OUR CURRENT RATE OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON OUR COMMON SHARES AND FUTURE DISTRIBUTIONS MAY BE REDUCED OR ELIMINATED,

•

OUR ABILITY TO GROW OUR BUSINESS AND INCREASE OUR DISTRIBUTIONS DEPENDS IN LARGE PART UPON OUR ABILITY TO BUY PROPERTIES AND ARRANGE FOR THEIR PROFITABLE OPERATION OR LEASE THEM FOR RENTS, LESS PROPERTY OPERATING EXPENSES, THAT EXCEED OUR CAPITAL COSTS. WE MAY BE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY PROPERTIES THAT WE WANT TO ACQUIRE OR TO NEGOTIATE ACCEPTABLE PURCHASE PRICES, ACQUISITION FINANCING, MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS OR LEASE TERMS FOR NEW PROPERTIES,

•

OUR TENANTS MAY EXPERIENCE LOSSES AND BECOME UNABLE TO PAY OUR RENTS,

•

CONTINUED AVAILABILITY OF BORROWINGS UNDER OUR REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY IS SUBJECT TO OUR SATISFYING CERTAIN FINANCIAL COVENANTS AND MEETING OTHER CUSTOMARY CREDIT FACILITY CONDITIONS THAT WE MAY BE UNABLE TO SATISFY,

3

•

ACTUAL COSTS UNDER OUR REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY OR OTHER FLOATING RATE CREDIT FACILITIES WILL BE HIGHER THAN LIBOR PLUS A PREMIUM BECAUSE OF OTHER FEES AND EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH FACILITIES,

•

THE MAXIMUM BORROWING AVAILABILITY UNDER OUR REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AND TERM LOAN MAY BE INCREASED TO UP TO $2.2 BILLION ON A COMBINED BASIS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. HOWEVER, INCREASING THE MAXIMUM BORROWING AVAILABILITY UNDER OUR REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AND TERM LOAN IS SUBJECT TO OUR OBTAINING ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS FROM LENDERS, WHICH MAY NOT OCCUR,

•

WE HAVE THE OPTION TO EXTEND THE MATURITY DATE OF OUR REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY UPON PAYMENT OF A FEE AND MEETING CERTAIN OTHER CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, THE APPLICABLE CONDITIONS MAY NOT BE MET,

•

THE MARGINS USED TO DETERMINE THE INTEREST RATE PAYABLE ON OUR REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AND TERM LOAN AND THE FACILITY FEE PAYABLE ON OUR REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY ARE BASED ON OUR CREDIT RATINGS. FUTURE CHANGES IN OUR CREDIT RATINGS MAY CAUSE THE INTEREST AND FEES WE PAY TO CHANGE,

•

CONTINGENCIES IN OUR ACQUISITION AND SALE AGREEMENTS MAY NOT BE SATISFIED AND OUR PENDING SALES OR ACQUISITIONS AND ANY RELATED MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS MAY NOT OCCUR, MAY BE DELAYED OR THE TERMS OF SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY CHANGE,

•

WE MAY BE UNABLE TO REPAY OUR DEBT OBLIGATIONS WHEN THEY BECOME DUE,

•

SOME OF OUR TENANTS MAY NOT RENEW EXPIRING LEASES, AND WE MAY BE UNABLE TO LOCATE NEW TENANTS TO MAINTAIN OR INCREASE THE HISTORICAL OCCUPANCY RATES OF, OR RENTS FROM, OUR PROPERTIES,

•

RENTS THAT WE CAN CHARGE AT OUR PROPERTIES MAY DECLINE BECAUSE OF CHANGING MARKET CONDITIONS OR OTHERWISE, AND

•

WE BELIEVE THAT OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR RELATED PARTIES, INCLUDING FIVE STAR, RMR LLC, RMR INC, AIC, D&R YONKERS LLC, SIR AND OTHERS AFFILIATED WITH THEM MAY BENEFIT US AND PROVIDE US WITH COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES IN OPERATING AND GROWING OUR BUSINESS. IN FACT, THE ADVANTAGES WE BELIEVE WE MAY REALIZE FROM THESE RELATIONSHIPS MAY NOT MATERIALIZE.

THESE RESULTS COULD OCCUR DUE TO MANY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, SOME OF WHICH ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL, SUCH AS CHANGED MEDICARE AND MEDICAID RATES, NEW LEGISLATION OR REGULATIONS AFFECTING OUR BUSINESS OR THE BUSINESSES OF OUR TENANTS OR MANAGERS, CHANGES IN OUR TENANTS' OR MANAGERS' REVENUES OR COSTS, CHANGES IN OUR TENANTS' OR MANAGERS' FINANCIAL CONDITIONS, ACTS OF TERRORISM, NATURAL DISASTERS OR CHANGES IN CAPITAL MARKETS OR THE ECONOMY GENERALLY.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND IN OUR FILINGS WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING UNDER THE CAPTION "RISK FACTORS" IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT OR INCORPORATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, IDENTIFIES OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE DIFFERENCES FROM OUR FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. OUR FILINGS WITH THE SEC ARE AVAILABLE ON THE SEC'S WEBSITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV.

4

YOU SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE UPON OUR FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS.

EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY LAW, WE DO NOT INTEND TO UPDATE OR CHANGE ANY FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF NEW INFORMATION, FUTURE EVENTS OR OTHERWISE.

STATEMENT CONCERNING LIMITED LIABILITY

THE AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ESTABLISHING SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST, DATED SEPTEMBER 20, 1999, AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED, AS FILED WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION OF MARYLAND, PROVIDES THAT NO TRUSTEE, OFFICER, SHAREHOLDER, EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OF SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST SHALL BE HELD TO ANY PERSONAL LIABILITY, JOINTLY OR SEVERALLY, FOR ANY OBLIGATION OF, OR CLAIM AGAINST, SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST. ALL PERSONS DEALING WITH SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST IN ANY WAY SHALL LOOK ONLY TO THE ASSETS OF SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY SUM OR THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY OBLIGATION.

5

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods shown.

			Year Ended December 31,
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
			2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		2.1x		2.2x		2.6x		2.1x		2.5x		2.5x

        For purposes of calculating the ratios above, earnings have been calculated by adding fixed charges to income from continuing operations (including gains on sales of properties, if any) before income tax expense and equity in earnings (losses) of an investee. Fixed charges consist of interest expense (including net amortization of debt discounts, premiums and deferred financing fees). The ratios of earnings to fixed charges were computed by dividing our earnings by fixed charges. We did not have any preferred securities outstanding during any of the periods presented above, and therefore our ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred share distributions is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods presented above.

USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise described in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds that we receive from the sale of any securities covered by this prospectus for general business purposes, which may include acquiring and investing in additional properties and the repayment of borrowings under our revolving credit facility or other debt. Until we apply the proceeds from a sale of securities covered by this prospectus to their stated purposes, we may invest those proceeds in short term investments, including repurchase agreements, some or all of which may not be investment grade.

        Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not receive any of the proceeds of the sale by any selling security holder of securities covered by this prospectus.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        References in this "Description of Debt Securities" section to "we," "us," "our" or "SNH" mean Senior Housing Properties Trust and not any of its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. The following is a summary of some general terms and provisions of debt securities that we may offer by this prospectus. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. If you want more information, you should read the forms of indentures which we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. If we issue debt securities, we will file any final indentures, and any supplemental indentures or officer's certificates related to the particular series of debt securities issued, with the SEC, and you should read those documents for further information about the terms and provisions of such debt securities. See "Where You Can Find More Information." This summary is also subject to and qualified by reference to the descriptions of the particular terms of our debt securities to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement may add to, update or change the terms of such debt securities from those described below.

        The debt securities sold under this prospectus will be direct obligations of SNH and, unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, will not be obligations of any of its subsidiaries. Such debt obligations may be secured or unsecured, and may be senior or subordinated indebtedness. Our debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures between us and a trustee. Any indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. The statements made in this prospectus relating to any indentures and the debt securities to be issued under the indentures are summaries of certain anticipated provisions of the indentures and are not complete.

6

General

        We may issue debt securities that rank "senior," "senior subordinated" or "junior subordinated," and which may be convertible into another security. The debt securities that we refer to as "senior" will be direct obligations of SNH and will rank equally and ratably in right of payment with our other indebtedness that is not subordinated, without giving effect to collateral arrangements. We may issue debt securities that will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of our senior debt, as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement, and may rank equally and ratably with our other senior subordinated indebtedness, if any, without giving effect to collateral arrangements. We refer to these as "senior subordinated" securities. We may also issue debt securities that may be subordinated in right of payment to the senior subordinated securities. These would be "junior subordinated" securities. We have filed with the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, three separate forms of indenture, one for the senior securities, one for the senior subordinated securities and one for the junior subordinated securities.

        We may issue debt securities without limit as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, in each case as we establish in one or more supplemental indentures. We need not issue all debt securities of one series at the same time. Unless we otherwise provide, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the series, for issuances of additional securities of that series.

        We anticipate that any indenture will provide that we may, but need not, designate more than one trustee under an indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. Any trustee under any indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities, and we may appoint a successor trustee to act with respect to any such series.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms relating to the series of debt securities we will offer, including, where applicable, the following:

•

the title and series designation and whether they are senior securities, senior subordinated securities or junior subordinated securities;

•

the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities offered and any limit on the aggregate principal amount of that series that may be authenticated and delivered;

•

the percentage of the principal amount at which we will issue the debt securities and, if other than the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities payable upon maturity of the debt securities;

•

if convertible, the initial conversion price, the conversion period and any other terms governing such conversion;

•

the stated maturity date;

•

any fixed or variable interest rate or rates per annum;

•

whether such interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities of the same series or will accrue and increase the aggregate principal amount outstanding of such series;

•

the place where principal, premium, if any, and interest will be payable and where the debt securities can be surrendered for transfer, exchange or conversion;

•

the date from which interest may accrue and any interest payment dates and any related record dates;

•

any sinking fund requirements;

•

any provisions for redemption or repurchase, including the redemption or repurchase price;

7

•

whether the debt securities are denominated or payable in U.S. dollars, a foreign currency or units of two or more currencies;

•

whether the amount of payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

•

the events of default and covenants of the debt securities, to the extent different from or in addition to those described in this prospectus;

•

whether we will issue the debt securities in certificated or book-entry form;

•

whether the debt securities will be in registered or bearer form and, if in registered form, the denominations, if other than $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, or, if in bearer form, the denominations and terms and conditions relating thereto;

•

whether we will issue any of the debt securities in permanent global form and, if so, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in the global security may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for the individual debt securities represented by the global security;

•

any addition or change to the provisions relating to the defeasance or covenant defeasance provisions of, or the satisfaction and discharge of, the debt securities;

•

whether we will pay additional amounts on the debt securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities instead of making this payment;

•

the subordination provisions, if any, relating to the debt securities;

•

if the debt securities are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants, the time, manner and place for such debt securities to be authenticated and delivered;

•

any restriction or condition on the transferability of debt securities;

•

any addition or change to the provisions related to compensation and reimbursement of the trustee which applies to the debt securities;

•

any addition or change to the provisions related to supplemental indentures both with and without the consent of the holders;

•

provisions, if any, granting special rights to holders upon the occurrence of specified events;

•

any addition or change to the events of default which applies to any debt securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of such debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to the indenture;

•

any addition or change to the covenants set forth in the indenture, or described in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, with respect to such series of debt securities; and

•

any other terms of debt securities of such series (which terms will not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of the indenture, including those described in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, with respect to such series).

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities offered by such prospectus supplement.

        We may issue debt securities at less than the principal amount payable at maturity. We refer to these securities as "original issue discount" securities. If material or applicable, we will describe in the

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applicable prospectus supplement special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to original issue discount securities.

        Except as may be described in any prospectus supplement, an indenture will not contain any other provisions that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us or in the event of a change in control. You should review carefully the applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to events of default and covenants applicable to the debt securities being offered.

Denominations, Interest, Registration and Transfer

        Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities of any series that are registered securities in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, other than global securities which may be of any denomination.

        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay the interest, principal and any premium at the corporate trust office of the trustee or, at our option, we may make payment of interest by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it appears in the applicable register or by wire transfer of funds to that person at an account maintained within the United States or, in the case of global securities, in accordance with the procedures of the depositary for such securities.

        If we do not punctually pay or otherwise provide for interest on any interest payment date, the defaulted interest will be paid either:

•

to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on a special record date the trustee will fix; or

•

in any other lawful manner, all as the applicable indenture describes.

        You may have your debt securities divided into more debt securities of smaller authorized denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger authorized denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed. We call this an "exchange."

        You may exchange or transfer debt securities at the office of the applicable trustee. The trustee acts as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring debt securities. We may change this appointment to another entity or perform this role ourselves. The entity performing the role of maintaining the list of registered holders is called the "registrar." The registrar will also perform transfers.

        You will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange debt securities, but you may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the exchange or transfer. The registrar will make the transfer or exchange only if it is satisfied with your proof of ownership.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

        We may not consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any other person (other than one of our direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries), and we may not permit any other person (other than one of our direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries) to consolidate with or merge into us, unless:

•

we are the surviving entity or, in case we consolidate with or merge into another person, the person formed by such consolidation or merger is, or in case we convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person, such acquiring person is, an entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof

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or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the trustee, in form satisfactory to the trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all applicable debt securities issued under the applicable indenture and the performance or observance of every covenant of the applicable indenture on our part to be performed or observed;

•

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of us or any of our subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by us or such subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, in each case under the applicable indenture, has happened and is continuing; and

•

we have delivered to the trustee an officer's certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with the applicable indenture provisions described in this paragraph and that all conditions precedent provided for in the applicable indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Events of Default and Related Matters

        Events of Default.    The term "event of default" for any series of debt securities means any of the following:

•

we do not pay the principal of or any premium on a debt security of that series when due;

•

we do not pay interest on a debt security of that series within 30 days after its due date;

•

we do not deposit any sinking fund payment for that series within 30 days after its due date;

•

we remain in breach of any other covenant of the applicable indenture (other than a covenant added to the indenture solely for the benefit of another series) for 60 days after we receive a notice of default specifying the breach and requiring that it be remedied. Only the trustee or holders of at least a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the affected series may send the notice;

•

we experience specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; or

•

any other event of default described in the applicable prospectus supplement occurs.

        Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs.    If an event of default has occurred and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default occurs because we experience specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series will be automatically accelerated and become immediately due and payable, without any action by the trustee or any holder. At any time after the trustee or the holders have accelerated any series of debt securities, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration.

        Except in cases of default where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the applicable indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability. We refer to this as an "indemnity." If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. These majority

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holders may also direct the trustee in performing any other action under the applicable indenture, subject to certain limitations.

        Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the applicable indenture or debt securities issued under such indenture, the following must occur:

•

you must give the trustee written notice that an event of default has occurred and is continuing;

•

the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action; and

•

the trustee must have not taken action for 60 days after receipt of the notice, request and offer of indemnity and must have not received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series other conflicting directions within such 60 day period.

However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt security after its due date.

        Every year we will furnish to the trustee a written statement by certain of our officers certifying that, to their best knowledge, we are in compliance with the applicable indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.

Modification of an Indenture

        There are three types of changes we can make to the indentures and our debt securities:

        Changes Requiring Your Approval.    First, we cannot make certain changes to the indentures and our debt securities without the approval of each holder of debt securities affected by the change. The following is a list of those types of changes:

•

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or interest on, a debt security;

•

reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest on, a debt security;

•

reduce the amount of any premium due upon redemption;

•

reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security payable upon acceleration of its maturity;

•

change the currency or place of payment on a debt security;

•

impair a holder's right to sue for payment on or after the stated maturity of a debt security;

•

in the case of a subordinated debt security, modify the subordination provisions of such debt security in a manner that is adverse to the holders;

•

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend an indenture;

•

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of an indenture or certain defaults and their consequences;

•

waive past defaults in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities or in respect of any covenant or provision that cannot be modified or amended without the approval of each holder of the debt securities; or

•

modify any of the foregoing provisions.

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        Changes Requiring Majority Approval.    Second, certain changes require the approval of holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series. We require the same majority vote to obtain a waiver of a past default. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or any other aspect of an indenture or the debt securities listed in the first category described above under "—Changes Requiring Your Approval" without the consent of each holder of debt securities affected by the waiver.

        Changes Not Requiring Approval.    Third, certain changes do not require any approval of holders of debt securities. These include:

•

to evidence the assumption by a successor obligor of our obligations;

•

to add to our covenants for the benefit of holders of debt securities of all or any series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us;

•

to add any additional events of default for the benefit of holders of all or any series of debt securities;

•

to add to or change any provisions necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form;

•

to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions, so long as such addition, change or elimination does not apply to any debt security of any existing series of debt security entitled to the benefit of such provision or modify the rights of the holder of any such debt security with respect to such provision or such addition, change or elimination only becomes effective when there is no such security outstanding;

•

to add guarantees of or to secure all or any series of the debt securities;

•

to establish the forms or terms of debt securities of any series;

•

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment of a successor trustee;

•

to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in the applicable indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained therein or to conform the terms of the indenture that are applicable to a series of debt securities to the description of the terms of such debt securities in the offering memorandum, prospectus supplement or other offering document applicable to such debt securities at the time of initial sale thereof;

•

to permit or facilitate the defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of debt securities of any series; provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities in any material respect;

•

to prohibit the authentication and delivery of additional series of debt securities;

•

to add to or change or eliminate any provision as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act;

•

to comply with the rules of any applicable depositary; or

•

to change anything that does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of any series in any material respect.

        Further Details Concerning Approval.    Debt securities are not considered outstanding, and therefore the holders thereof are not eligible to vote or consent or give their approval or take other action under the applicable indenture, if we have deposited or set aside in trust for you money for their payment or redemption or if we or one of our affiliates own them. Debt securities are also not considered to be outstanding and therefore eligible to vote or consent or give their approval or take other action under

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the applicable indenture if they have been fully defeased or discharged, as described below under "—Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance—Discharge" or "—Full Defeasance."

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

        Discharge.    We may discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year, by depositing or causing to be deposited with the trustee, in trust, funds in the applicable currency in an amount sufficient to pay the debt securities of such series, including any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of debt securities which have become due and payable) or to such stated maturity or redemption date, as applicable.

        Full Defeasance.    We can, under particular circumstances, effect a full defeasance of any series of debt securities. By this we mean we can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities if, among other things, we put in place the arrangements described below to pay those debt securities and deliver certain certificates and opinions to the trustee:

•

we must irrevocably deposit (or cause to be deposited), in trust, for the benefit of all direct holders of the debt securities of such series money or government obligations (or, in some circumstances, depository receipts representing such government obligations), or a combination thereof, that will provide funds in an amount sufficient to pay the debt securities of such series, including any premium and interest on the debt securities of such series at their stated maturity or applicable redemption date (a "government obligation" for these purposes means, with respect to any series of debt securities, securities that are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof and are (1) direct obligations of the government that issued the currency in which such series is denominated (or, if such series is denominated in euros, the direct obligations of any government that is a member of the European Monetary Union) for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government); and

•

we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion stating that the current U.S. federal income tax law has changed or an Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, ruling has been issued, in each case to the effect that holders of the outstanding debt securities of such series will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such full defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such full defeasance had not occurred.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following rights and obligations will survive full defeasance:

•

your right to receive payments from the trust when payments are due;

•

our obligations relating to registration and transfer of debt securities and lost or mutilated certificates; and

•

our obligations to maintain a payment office and to hold moneys for payment in trust.

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        Covenant Defeasance.    Under current U.S. federal income tax law, we can make the same type of deposit described above with respect to a series of debt securities and be released from the obligations imposed by most of the covenants with respect to such series and provisions of the applicable indenture with respect to such series, and we may omit to comply with those covenants and provisions without creating an event of default. This is called "covenant defeasance."

        If we accomplish covenant defeasance, the following provisions of an indenture and the debt securities of such series would no longer apply:

•

most of the covenants applicable to such series of debt securities and any events of default for failure to comply with those covenants;

•

any subordination provisions; and

•

certain other events of default as set forth in any prospectus supplement.

Conversion and Exchange Rights

        The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for common or preferred shares, other debt securities or other property will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms will include whether the debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for common or preferred shares, other debt securities or other property, the conversion or exchange price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion or exchange period, whether conversion or exchange will be at the option of the holders, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price, provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of such debt securities and any restrictions on conversion or exchange, including restrictions directed at maintaining our REIT status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code.

Subordination

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of senior subordinated securities or junior subordinated securities is subordinated to debt securities of another series or to our other indebtedness. The terms will include a description of:

•

the indebtedness ranking senior to the debt securities being offered;

•

the restrictions, if any, on payments to the holders of the debt securities being offered while a default with respect to the senior indebtedness is continuing;

•

the restrictions, if any, on payments to the holders of the debt securities being offered following an event of default with respect to such debt securities; and

•

provisions requiring holders of the debt securities being offered to remit payments to holders of senior indebtedness.

Global Debt Securities

        We may issue the debt securities of a series in whole or in part in the form of one or more registered global securities that we will deposit with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of such depositary or nominee. In such case, we will issue one or more registered global securities denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the debt securities of the series to be issued and represented by such registered global security or securities.

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        Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole:

•

by the depositary for such registered global security to its nominee;

•

by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or

•

by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.

        The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of such series represented by a registered global security. We currently anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements for debt securities:

•

ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for the registered global security, those persons being referred to as "participants," or persons that may hold interests through participants;

•

upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary for the registered global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants' accounts with the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security beneficially owned by the participants;

•

any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities will designate the accounts to be credited; and

•

ownership of any beneficial interest in the registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of any ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the registered global security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding through participants).

        The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may limit the ability of those persons to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

        So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the registered global security, the depositary or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security:

•

will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in their names;

•

will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in the definitive form; and

•

will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities under the applicable indenture.

        Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for the registered global security and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of a participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture.

        We understand that under currently existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under an indenture, the depositary for the registered global

15

security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take the action, and those participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those participants to give or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

        We will make payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owners of the registered global security. Neither we nor any trustee or any other agent of us or a trustee will be responsible or liable for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

        We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of the registered global security, will immediately credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the registered global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name." We also expect that any of these payments will be the responsibility of the participants.

        No registered global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and no transfer of a registered global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any person other than the depositary for such registered global security, unless (1) such depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such registered global security or has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and we fail to appoint an eligible successor depositary within 90 days, (2) an event of default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to such debt securities, or (3) circumstances, if any, exist in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for that purpose in an applicable prospectus supplement. In any such case, the affected registered global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive form and the applicable trustee will register any such debt securities in such name or names as such depositary directs.

        We currently anticipate that certain registered global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or DTC, and will be registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of DTC. DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants, or direct participants, deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among direct participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between direct participants' accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly.

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The rules applicable to DTC and its direct participants are on file with the SEC. The information in this paragraph concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. In the event registered global securities are deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary other than DTC, we will describe additional or differing terms of the depositary arrangements in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that particular series of debt securities.

        We may also issue bearer debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global securities, referred to as "bearer global securities." We currently anticipate that we will deposit these bearer global securities with a common depositary for Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or with a nominee for the depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities represented by a bearer global security will describe the specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depositary arrangement and any specific procedures for the issuance of debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a bearer global security, with respect to the portion of the series represented by a bearer global security.

        Neither we nor any trustee assumes any responsibility for the performance by DTC or any other depositary or its participants of their respective obligations, including obligations that they have under the rules and procedures that govern their operations.

Governing Law

        The indentures and our debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

        References in this "Description of Shares of Beneficial Interest" section to "we," "us" or "our" mean Senior Housing Properties Trust and not any of its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. The following description of the terms of our shares of beneficial interest is only a summary. For a complete description, please refer to our declaration of trust and bylaws, which have previously been filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and this summary is qualified in its entirety thereby.

        Our declaration of trust authorizes us to issue up to an aggregate of 300,000,000 shares of beneficial interest, all of which are currently designated as common shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share, or common shares. As of June 25, 2015, we had 237,398,662 common shares issued and outstanding. As of the date of this prospectus, no other class or series of shares of beneficial interest has been established and is outstanding. Our declaration of trust contains a provision permitting our Board of Trustees, without any action by our shareholders, to amend our declaration of trust to increase or decrease the total number of shares of beneficial interest or the number of shares of any class or series that we have authority to issue. Our declaration of trust further authorizes our Board of Trustees, subject to certain limitations, to reclassify any unissued shares from time to time by setting the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of our shares of beneficial interest or any new class or series of shares created by our Board of Trustees. We believe that giving these powers to our Board of Trustees will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other business needs which might arise. Although our Board of Trustees has no intention at the present time of doing so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series of shares of beneficial interest that could, depending upon the terms of the class or series, delay or prevent a change in control.

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Common Shares

        The following is a summary of some general terms and provisions of our common shares. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. If you want more information, you should read our declaration of trust and bylaws, copies of which have been filed with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information." This summary is also subject to and qualified by reference to the description of the particular terms of common shares described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Except as otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, and subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of shares then outstanding or which may be issued, and to the ownership restrictions described below, all of our common shares are entitled:

•

to receive distributions on our common shares if, as and when authorized by our Board of Trustees and declared by us out of assets legally available for distribution; and

•

to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of or adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities.

        Subject to the provisions of our declaration of trust regarding the restriction on the transfer of shares of beneficial interest, each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of trustees. Holders of our common shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of trustees.

        Holders of our common shares have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights, or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities.

        For additional information about our common shares, including the potential effects that provisions in our declaration of trust and bylaws may have in delaying or preventing a change in our control, see "Description of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws" below.

Preferred Shares

        The following is a summary of the general terms and provisions of the preferred shares that we may offer by this prospectus. We may issue preferred shares in one or more classes or series; each class or series of preferred shares will have its own rights and preferences. We will describe in a prospectus supplement (1) the specific terms of the class or series of any preferred shares offered through that prospectus supplement and (2) any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to such preferred shares. Because this is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. If you want more information, you should read our declaration of trust, including any applicable articles supplementary, and bylaws, copies of which have been filed with the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information." This summary is also subject to and qualified by reference to the description of the particular terms of our securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may add to, update or change the terms of such securities from those described below.

        General.    Our declaration of trust authorizes our Board of Trustees to determine the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of any preferred shares.

        The preferred shares will have the distribution, liquidation, redemption, voting and conversion rights described in this section unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The liquidation preference is not indicative of the price at which the preferred shares will actually trade on

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or after the date of issuance. You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the particular class or series of the preferred shares for specific terms, including:

•

the distinctive designation of the applicable class or series of preferred shares and the number of shares that will constitute the class or series;

•

the initial offering price of such preferred shares;

•

relative ranking and preference of such preferred shares as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

•

the distribution rate or rates (or method of calculation) on that class or series, the distribution periods, the date(s) on which distributions will be payable and whether the distributions will be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative, and, if cumulative, the dates from which the distributions will start to cumulate;

•

any redemption or sinking fund provisions of that class or series;

•

any voting rights;

•

any conversion or exchange provisions;

•

any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of such preferred shares;

•

any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred shares ranking senior to or on a parity with such preferred shares as to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

•

any procedures for any auction and remarketing;

•

any listing of such preferred shares on any securities exchange; and

•

any limitations on record or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer, including those as may be appropriate to preserve our qualification for taxation as a REIT.

        Holders of our preferred shares have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities.

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred shares offered by such prospectus supplement.

        The issuance of preferred shares, the issuance of rights to purchase preferred shares or the possibility of the issuance of preferred shares or such rights could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in our control. In addition, the rights of holders of common shares will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any preferred shares that we have issued or may issue in the future.

        For additional information about our preferred shares, including the potential effects that provisions in our declaration of trust and bylaws may have in delaying or preventing a change in our control, see "Description of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws" below.

        As described under "Description of Depositary Shares," we may, at our option, elect to offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts. If we elect to do this, each depositary receipt will represent a fractional interest in a share of the particular class or series of the preferred shares issued and deposited with a depositary. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify that fractional interest.

        Rank.    Unless our Board of Trustees otherwise determines and we so specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect that the preferred shares will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, rank senior to all our common shares.

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        Distributions.    Holders of preferred shares of each class or series will be entitled to receive cash and/or share distributions at the rates and on the dates shown in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will pay each distribution to holders of record as they appear on our share transfer books on the record dates fixed by our Board of Trustees. In the case of preferred shares represented by depositary receipts, the records of the depositary referred to under "Description of Depositary Shares" will determine the persons to whom distributions are payable.

        We will not authorize or pay any distributions on a class or series of preferred shares or set aside funds for the payment of distributions if restricted or prohibited by law, or if the terms of any of our agreements, including agreements relating to our indebtedness or our other classes or series of preferred shares, prohibit that authorization, payment or setting aside of funds or provide that the authorization, payment or setting aside of funds is a breach of or a default under that agreement. We are now, and may in the future become, a party to agreements which restrict or prevent the payment of distributions on, or the purchase or redemption of, our shares of beneficial interest, including preferred shares. These restrictions may be indirect, such as covenants which require us to maintain specified levels of net worth or assets.

        Distributions on any class or series of preferred shares may be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Cumulative distributions will be cumulative from and after the date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our Board of Trustees fails to authorize a distribution that is noncumulative, the holders of the applicable class or series will have no right to receive, and we will have no obligation to pay, a distribution in respect of the applicable distribution period, whether or not distributions on that class or series are declared payable in the future.

        We refer to our common shares or other shares, now or hereafter issued, that rank junior to an applicable class or series of preferred shares with respect to distribution rights as junior shares. To the extent that the applicable class or series is entitled to a cumulative distribution, we may not declare or pay any distributions, or set aside any funds for the payment of distributions, on junior shares, or redeem or otherwise acquire junior shares, unless we also have declared and either paid or set aside for payment the full cumulative distributions on such class or series of preferred shares and on all our other class or series of preferred shares ranking senior to or on a parity with such class or series of preferred shares for all past distribution periods. The preceding sentence does not prohibit:

•

distributions payable in junior shares or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase junior shares;

•

conversions into or exchanges for junior shares;

•

pro rata offers to purchase or a concurrent redemption of all, or a pro rata portion of, the outstanding preferred shares of such class or series and any other class or series of shares ranking on a parity with such class or series of preferred shares with respect to distribution rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; or

•

our redemption, purchase or other acquisition of shares under incentive, benefit or share purchase plans for officers, trustees or employees or others performing or providing similar services, for the purposes of enforcing restrictions upon ownership and transfer of our equity securities contained in our declaration of trust or bylaws or our redemption or other acquisition of rights issued under any shareholder rights plan we may adopt.

        To the extent an applicable class or series is noncumulative, we need only declare, and pay or set aside for payment, the distribution for the then current distribution period, before making distributions on or acquiring junior shares.

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        Unless full cumulative distributions on a class or series of preferred shares have been or are contemporaneously declared and either paid or set aside for payment for all past distribution periods, no distributions (other than in junior shares) may be declared or paid or set aside for payment on any other class or series of preferred shares ranking on a parity with such class or series with respect to distribution rights. When distributions are not paid in full upon a class or series of preferred shares and any other class or series ranking on a parity with such class or series with respect to distribution rights, all distributions declared upon such class or series and any class or series ranking on a parity with such class or series with respect to distribution rights shall be allocated pro rata so that the amount of distributions declared per share on such class or series and such other shares shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the accrued distributions per share on such class or series and such other shares bear to each other.

        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will credit any distribution payment made on an applicable class or series, including any capital gain distribution, first against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due with respect to the class or series.

        Redemption.    We may have the right or may be required to redeem one or more class or series of preferred shares, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, if any, and at the times and at the redemption prices shown in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        If a class or series of preferred shares is subject to mandatory redemption, we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement the number of shares we are required to redeem, when those redemptions start, the redemption price and any other terms and conditions affecting the redemption. The redemption price will include all accrued and unpaid distributions, except in the case of noncumulative preferred shares. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for preferred shares of any class or series is payable only from the net proceeds of our issuance of shares of beneficial interest, the terms of the preferred shares may provide that, if no shares of beneficial interest shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, the preferred shares will automatically and mandatorily be converted into shares of beneficial interest pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Liquidation Preference.    The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the liquidation preference of the applicable class or series. Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, before any distribution may be made to the holders of our common shares or any other shares of beneficial interest ranking junior in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, to the applicable class or series, the holders of that class or series will be entitled to receive, out of our assets legally available for distribution to shareholders, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to all distributions accrued and unpaid. In the case of a noncumulative applicable class or series, accrued and unpaid distributions include only the then current distribution period. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if liquidating distributions have been made in full to all holders of preferred shares, our remaining assets will be distributed among the holders of any other shares of beneficial interest ranking junior to the preferred shares upon liquidation, according to their rights and preferences and in each case according to their number of shares.

        If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of that class or series and the corresponding amounts payable on all equally ranking shares of beneficial interest upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, then the holders of that class or series and all other equally ranking shares of beneficial interest shall share ratably in the distribution in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be entitled.

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        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, after payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of a class or series of preferred shares will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. Neither the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business, nor the merger or consolidation of us into or with any other entity or the merger or consolidation of any other entity into or with us or a statutory share exchange by us, shall be deemed to constitute the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of our affairs. In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution), by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares or otherwise, is permitted under Maryland law, amounts that would be needed, if we were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of the holders of a class or series of preferred shares will not be added to our total liabilities.

        Voting Rights.    Holders of our preferred shares will not have any voting rights, except as described below or as otherwise from time to time specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of our preferred shares (voting separately as a class with all other class or series of preferred shares with similar voting rights) will be entitled to elect two additional trustees to our Board of Trustees at our next annual meeting of shareholders and at each subsequent annual meeting if at any time distributions on the applicable class or series are in arrears for six consecutive quarterly periods. If the applicable class or series has a cumulative distribution, the right to elect additional trustees described in the preceding sentence shall remain in effect until we declare and pay or set aside for payment all distributions accrued and unpaid on the applicable class or series. If the applicable class or series does not have a cumulative distribution, the right to elect additional trustees described above shall remain in effect until we declare and pay or set aside for payment distributions accrued and unpaid on four consecutive quarterly periods on the applicable class or series. In the event the preferred shareholders are so entitled to elect trustees, the entire Board of Trustees will be increased by two trustees.

        Unless otherwise provided for in an applicable class or series, so long as any preferred shares are outstanding, we may not, without the affirmative vote or consent of a majority of the shares of each affected class or series of preferred shares outstanding at that time:

•

authorize, create or increase the authorized or issued amount of any class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking senior to that class or series of preferred shares with respect to distribution and liquidation rights;

•

reclassify any authorized shares of beneficial interest into a class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking senior to that class or series of preferred shares with respect to distribution and liquidation rights;

•

create, authorize or issue any security or obligation convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any shares of beneficial interest ranking senior to that class or series of preferred shares with respect to distribution and liquidation rights; and

•

amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our declaration of trust or any articles supplementary relating to that class or series of preferred shares, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, in a manner that materially and adversely affects the class or series of preferred shares.

The authorization, creation or increase of the authorized or issued amount of any class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking on parity or junior to a class or series of preferred shares with respect to distribution and liquidation rights will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect that class or series. Further, with respect to any merger, consolidation or similar event, so long as a class or series of preferred shares remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged or the holders of shares of that class or series receive shares of the successor with substantially identical rights,

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taking into account that, upon the occurrence of such event, we may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of such event will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect that class or series.

        The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if all of the outstanding shares of the class or series of preferred shares with the right to vote have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient funds have been deposited in trust for the redemption either at or prior to the act triggering these voting rights.

        As more fully described under "Description of Depositary Shares" below, if we elect to issue depositary shares, each representing a fraction of a share of a class or series, each depositary share will in effect be entitled to a fraction of a vote.

        Conversion and Exchange Rights.    We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions, if any, upon which you may, or we may require you to, convert or exchange shares of any class or series of preferred shares into common shares or any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest or debt securities or other property. The terms will include the number of common shares or other securities or property into which the preferred shares are convertible or exchangeable, the conversion or exchange price (or the manner of determining it), the conversion or exchange period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be at the option of the holders of the class or series or at our option, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange upon the redemption of shares of the class or series.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. The transfer agent and registrar for each class or series of preferred shares that may be issued and sold pursuant to this prospectus will be designated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

        References in this "Description of Depositary Shares" section to "we," "us" or "our" mean Senior Housing Properties Trust and not any of its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. The following is a summary of the general terms and provisions of the depositary shares that we may offer by this prospectus. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. If you want more information, you should read the form of deposit agreement and depositary receipts, which will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part prior to an offering of depositary shares. See "Where You Can Find More Information." This summary is also subject to and qualified by reference to the descriptions of the particular terms of our securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will describe in a prospectus supplement (1) the specific terms of the depositary shares offered through that prospectus supplement and (2) any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to such depositary shares. The applicable prospectus supplement also may add to, update or change the terms of such securities may differ from those described below.

        We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional interests in preferred shares, rather than whole preferred shares. If we exercise this option, we will appoint a depositary to issue depositary receipts representing those fractional interests. Preferred shares of each series represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and the depositary. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary shares will show the name and address of the depositary. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each owner of depositary shares will be

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entitled to all of the distribution, voting, conversion, redemption, liquidation and other rights and preferences of the preferred shares represented by those depositary shares.

        Depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement will evidence ownership of depositary shares. Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, and upon payment of the charges provided in and subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, a holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the preferred shares underlying the surrendered depositary receipts.

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the depositary shares offered by such prospectus supplement.

Distributions

        The depositary will be required to distribute all cash distributions received in respect of the applicable preferred shares to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares, in proportion to the number of depositary receipts owned by such holders on the relevant record date, which will be the same date as the record date fixed by us for the distribution paid on the applicable preferred shares.

        If the distribution is other than in cash, a depositary will be required to distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. In that case, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

        Depositary shares that represent preferred shares converted or exchanged will not be entitled to distributions. The deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights we offer to holders of the preferred shares will be made available to holders of depositary shares. All distributions will be subject to obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the depositary.

Withdrawal of Preferred Shares

        You may receive the number of whole preferred shares and any money or other property represented by your depositary receipts after surrendering the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary. Partial preferred shares will not be issued. If the depositary shares that you surrender exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole preferred shares you wish to withdraw, then the depositary will deliver to you at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Once you have withdrawn your preferred shares, you will not be entitled to re-deposit those preferred shares under the deposit agreement in order to receive depositary shares. We do not expect that there will be any public trading market for withdrawn preferred shares.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

        If we redeem a series of the preferred shares underlying the depositary shares, the depositary will redeem those depositary shares from the proceeds received by it. The depositary will mail notice of redemption not less than 30 and not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption to the record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares being redeemed at their addresses appearing in the depositary's books. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the series of the preferred shares. The redemption date for depositary shares will be the same as that of the preferred shares. If we are redeeming less than all of the depositary shares, the depositary will select the depositary shares we are redeeming by lot or pro rata as the depositary may determine.

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        After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed outstanding. All rights of the holders of the depositary shares and the related depositary receipts will cease at that time, except the right to receive the money or other property to which the holders of depositary shares were entitled upon redemption. Receipt of the money or other property is subject to surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the redeemed depositary shares.

Voting of the Preferred Shares

        Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the applicable preferred shares are entitled to vote, a depositary will be required to mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the applicable depositary receipts. Each record holder of depositary receipts on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for voting preferred shares, will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred shares represented by the holder's depositary shares. If you do not instruct the depositary how to vote your shares, the depositary will abstain from voting those shares. The depositary will not be responsible for any failure to carry out an instruction to vote or for the effect of any such vote made so long as the action or inaction of the depositary is in good faith and is not the result of the depositary's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Liquidation Preference

        Upon our liquidation, whether voluntary or involuntary, each holder of depositary shares will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each preferred share represented by the depositary shares, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion or Exchange of Preferred Shares

        The depositary shares will not themselves be convertible into or exchangeable for common shares, preferred shares or any of our other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders to the applicable depositary with written instructions to it to instruct us to cause conversion or exchange of the preferred shares represented by the depositary shares. Similarly, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may require you to surrender all of your depositary receipts to the applicable depositary upon our requiring the conversion or exchange of the preferred shares represented by the depositary shares. We will agree that, upon receipt of the instruction and any amounts payable in connection with the conversion or exchange, we will cause the conversion or exchange using the same procedures as those provided for delivery of preferred shares to effect the conversion or exchange. If you are converting or exchanging only a part of the depositary shares, the depositary will issue you a new depositary receipt for any unconverted or unexchanged depositary shares.

Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement

        We and the applicable depositary are permitted to amend the provisions of the depositary receipts and the deposit agreement. However, the holders of a majority of the applicable depositary shares then outstanding must approve any amendment that adds or increases fees or charges or prejudices an important right of holders. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the receipt, will be bound by the applicable deposit agreement, as amended.

        Any deposit agreement may be terminated by us upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice to the applicable depositary if (1) the termination is necessary to preserve our qualification for taxation as

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a REIT or (2) a majority of each series of preferred shares affected by the termination consents to the termination. When either event occurs, the depositary will be required to deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by the holder, the number of whole or fractional preferred shares as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts, together with any other property held by the depositary with respect to the depositary receipts. In addition, a deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

•

all depositary shares have been redeemed;

•

there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred shares in connection with our liquidation and the distribution has been made to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares underlying the preferred shares; or

•

each related preferred share shall have been converted or exchanged into securities not represented by depositary shares.

Charges of a Depositary

        We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of a deposit agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of a depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred shares and any redemption of preferred shares. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay any transfer or other governmental charges and the fees and expenses of a depositary for any duties the holders request to be performed that are outside of those expressly provided for in the applicable deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

        A depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so. In addition, we may at any time remove a depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect when we appoint a successor depositary and it accepts the appointment. We must appoint a successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. A depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million.

Miscellaneous

        The depositary will be required to forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and communications from us that it receives with respect to the related preferred shares. Holders of depository receipts will be able to inspect the transfer books of the depository and the list of holders of depositary receipts upon reasonable notice.

        Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if the depositary is prevented from or delayed in performing its obligations under a deposit agreement by law or any circumstances beyond its control. Our obligations and those of the depositary under a deposit agreement will be limited to performing duties in good faith and without gross negligence or willful misconduct. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or related preferred shares unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary will be permitted to rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting preferred shares for deposit, by holders of depositary receipts, or by other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give the information, and on documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.

        If the depositary receives conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the depositary shall be entitled to act on the claims, requests or instructions received from us.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        References in this "Description of Warrants" section to "we," "us" or "our" mean Senior Housing Properties Trust and not any of its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. The following is a summary of the general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer by this prospectus. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. If you want more information, you should read the forms of warrants and the warrant agreement which will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information." This summary is also subject to and qualified by reference to the descriptions of the particular terms of our securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will describe in a prospectus supplement (1) the specific terms of the warrants offered through that prospectus supplement and (2) any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to such warrants. The applicable prospectus supplement also may add to, update or change the terms of such securities from those described below.

        We may issue, together with any other securities being offered or separately, warrants entitling the holder to purchase from or sell to us, or to receive from us the cash value of the right to purchase or sell, debt securities, preferred shares, depositary shares or common shares. We and a warrant agent will enter a warrant agreement pursuant to which the warrants will be issued. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. We will file a copy of the forms of warrants and the warrant agreement with the SEC at or before the time of the offering of the applicable series of warrants.

        In the case of each series of warrants, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants being offered thereby. These include the following, if applicable:

•

the offering price;

•

the currencies in which such warrants are being offered;

•

the number of warrants offered;

•

the securities underlying the warrants;

•

the exercise price, the procedures for exercise of the warrants and the circumstances, if any, that will cause the warrants to be automatically exercised;

•

the date on which the warrants will expire;

•

the rights, if any, we have to redeem the warrants;

•

the name of the warrant agent; and

•

the other terms of the warrants.

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the warrants offered by such prospectus supplement.

        Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of warrants, holders will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payments made to holders of those securities.

        The warrant agreement may be amended or supplemented without the consent of the holders of the warrants to which the amendment or supplement applies to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of

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warrants will not be effective unless the holders of a majority of the applicable warrants then outstanding approve the amendment. Every holder of an outstanding warrant at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the warrant, will be bound by the applicable warrant agreement as amended thereby. The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of warrants may provide that certain provisions of the warrants, including the securities for which they may be exercisable, the exercise price and the expiration date may not be altered without the consent of the holder of each warrant.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW
AND OF OUR DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BYLAWS

        We are organized as a REIT under Maryland law. The following is a summary of our declaration of trust and bylaws and several provisions of Maryland law. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. If you want more information, you should read our entire declaration of trust and bylaws, copies of which we have filed with the SEC, and the provisions of Maryland law.

Trustees

        Our declaration of trust and bylaws provide for a Board of Trustees of five members and that our Board of Trustees may change the number of trustees, but there may be not less than three nor more than seven. In case of failure to elect trustees at an annual meeting of shareholders, the incumbent trustees will hold over and continue to direct the management of our business and affairs until they resign or their successors are elected and qualify. Any vacancy on the Board of Trustees may be filled only by a majority of the remaining trustees, even if the remaining trustees do not constitute a quorum. Any trustee elected to fill a vacancy will hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of trustees in which the vacancy occurred or was created and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

        There is no cumulative voting in the election of trustees. Except as may be mandated by any applicable law or the listing requirements of the principal exchange on which our common shares are listed, and subject to the voting rights of any class or series of our shares which may be hereafter created, (1) a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of our shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a trustee in an uncontested election of trustees and (2) a majority of all the shares entitled to vote at a meeting of our shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a trustee in a contested election (which is an election at which the number of nominees exceeds the number of trustees to be elected at such meeting). Under our Governance Guidelines, if an incumbent trustee does not receive a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election, the trustee will submit an offer to resign from the Board of Trustees. In such circumstance, the Nominating and Governance Committee of our Board of Trustees will make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken.

        Our declaration of trust previously divided our Board of Trustees into three classes, with shareholders electing the trustees of each class for three year terms and only one class of trustees being elected each year. Pursuant to an amendment to our declaration of trust approved at our 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, effective at our 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, trustees of the class of trustees whose term expired at that meeting or that expires at a subsequent annual meeting of shareholders are elected annually, with all of our trustees being elected annually as of our 2017 annual meeting of shareholders. The classified board provision, to the extent it is in effect, could have the effect of making the replacement of our incumbent trustees more time consuming and difficult.

        Under our bylaws, our trustees are qualified as "independent trustees" or "managing trustees," and our bylaws require that (except for temporary periods due to vacancies), a majority of the trustees

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holding office will at all times be independent trustees. For those purposes, an "independent trustee" is not involved in our day to day activities, is not an employee of our manager, RMR LLC, and qualifies as independent under our declaration of trust, if applicable, and applicable rules of the NYSE and the SEC. A "managing trustee" is a trustee who is not an independent trustee and who has been an employee of RMR LLC or has been involved in our day to day activities for at least one year prior to his or her election. Our Board of Trustees is currently composed of three independent trustees and two managing trustees.

        Our declaration of trust and bylaws provide that a trustee may be removed with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of our common shares entitled to vote in the election of trustees. This provision precludes shareholders from removing our incumbent trustees unless they can obtain the requisite affirmative vote of shares. Under our bylaws, a trustee may also be removed with or without cause by the affirmative vote of all the remaining trustees.

Advance Notice of Trustee Nominations and New Business

        Annual Meetings of Shareholders.    Our bylaws provide that nominations of individuals for election to our Board of Trustees and proposals of other business to be considered at an annual meeting of shareholders may be made only in our notice of the meeting, by or at the direction of our Board of Trustees, or by a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting, is entitled to make nominations or proposals and has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in our bylaws.

        Under our bylaws, a shareholder's written notice of nominations for trustee or other matters to be considered at an annual meeting of shareholders must be delivered to our Secretary at our principal executive offices not later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the 120th day nor earlier than the 150th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of our proxy statement for the preceding year's annual meeting; provided however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is more than 30 days earlier or later than the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year's annual meeting, the notice must be delivered by not later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the 10th day following the earlier of the day on which (1) notice of the date of the annual meeting is mailed or otherwise made available or (2) public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by us. Neither the postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting, nor the public announcement of such postponement or adjournment, commences a new time period for the giving of a shareholder's notice.

        Our bylaws set forth procedures for submission of nominations for trustee elections and other proposals by our shareholders for consideration at an annual meeting of shareholders, including, among other things:

•

requiring that a shareholder wishing to make a nomination or proposal of other business be a shareholder of record of at least $2,000 in market value, or 1% of our shares, entitled to propose such business and to vote at the meeting on such proposal for at least one year immediately preceding such shareholder's submission of a notice of the proposal, that the shareholder continue to be such a shareholder at the time of submitting its notice of such proposal through and including the time of the annual meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof), that the shareholder hold a certificate for such shares at the time of submitting a notice through and including the time of the annual meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof), and that the shareholder submit the proposal to our Secretary in accordance with the requirements of our bylaws;

•

providing that the advance notice provisions in our bylaws are the exclusive means for a shareholder to make nominations or propose business for consideration at an annual meeting of shareholders, except to the extent of matters which are required to be presented to our

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shareholders by applicable law and which have been properly presented in accordance with the requirements of such law;

•

requiring certain information to be provided regarding any proposed nominee by the proposing shareholder;

•

requiring certain information to be provided with respect to any business other than the election of trustees that a shareholder proposes to bring before a meeting of our shareholders;

•

requiring certain information to be provided as to the shareholder giving the notice and certain of its affiliates; and

•

providing that the proposing shareholder is responsible for ensuring compliance with the advance notice provisions, that any responses of the shareholder to any request for information will not cure any defect in the shareholder's notice and that neither we, our Board of Trustees or any committee of our Board of Trustees nor any of our officers has any duty to request clarification or update information or inform the proposing shareholder of any defect in the shareholder's notice.

        Special Meetings of Shareholders.    With respect to special meetings of shareholders, our bylaws provide that only business brought before the meeting pursuant to our notice of the meeting may be conducted at such meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to our Board of Trustees may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which trustees are to be elected pursuant to our notice of meeting, by or at the direction of our Board of Trustees, or, provided that our Board of Trustees has determined that trustees will be elected at such special meeting, by a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in our bylaws. Under our bylaws, in the event we call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing one or more trustees, a shareholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a trustee if the shareholder provides timely notice, in writing, to our Secretary at our principal executive offices, containing the information and following the procedures required by the advance notice provisions in our bylaws, as described above for submitting nominations for consideration at an annual meeting of shareholders. To be timely, a shareholder's notice must be delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the later of (1) the 120th day prior to such special meeting or (2) the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of any nominee proposed by the trustees to be elected at such meeting. Neither the postponement or adjournment of a special meeting, nor the public announcement of such postponement or adjournment, shall commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder's notice.

Meetings of Shareholders; Actions by Written Consent

        Meetings of shareholders may be called only by our Board of Trustees.

        Whenever shareholders are required or permitted to take any action by a vote, the action may only be taken by a vote at a shareholders meeting. Under our bylaws, shareholders do not have the right to take any action by written consent instead of a vote at a shareholders meeting.

Liability and Indemnification of Trustees and Officers

        The laws relating to Maryland real estate investment trusts, or the Maryland REIT Law, permit a REIT formed under Maryland law to include in its declaration of trust a provision limiting the liability of its trustees and officers to the trust and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty by the trustee or officer that was established by a final judgment as

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being material to the cause of action adjudicated. Our declaration of trust contains such a provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

        The Maryland REIT Law permits a REIT formed under Maryland law to indemnify and advance expenses to its trustees, officers, employees and agents to the same extent permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, or the MGCL, for directors and officers of Maryland corporations. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or are threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those capacities. However, a Maryland corporation is not permitted to provide this type of indemnification if the following is established:

•

the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

•

the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

•

in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

        Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. The MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of the following:

•

a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that the director or officer has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and

•

a written undertaking by the director or officer or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that this standard of conduct was not met.

        Our declaration of trust requires us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify (1) any present or former trustee or officer of our company or (2) any individual who, while a trustee or officer of our company, at our request, serves or has served as a trustee, director, officer, partner employee or agent of another REIT, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of the proceeding. Our declaration of trust also permits us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served any predecessor of ours in the capacities described above and any present or former shareholder, employee or agent of us or any such predecessor. Our declaration of trust also obligates us to pay or reimburse the people described above for reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding.

        We have also entered into indemnification agreements with our trustees and our officers providing for contractual indemnification and procedures for indemnification by us to the fullest extent permitted by law and advancements by us of certain expenses and costs relating to claims, suits or proceedings arising from their service to us.

        The SEC has expressed the opinion that indemnification of trustees, officers or persons otherwise controlling a company for liabilities arising under the Securities Act is against public policy and is therefore unenforceable.

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Shareholder Liability

        Under the Maryland REIT Law, a shareholder is generally not personally liable for the obligations of a REIT formed under Maryland law solely as a result of his or her status as a shareholder. Our declaration of trust provides that no shareholder will be liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind by reason of being a shareholder. While we intend to conduct our business in a manner designed to minimize potential shareholder liability, we can give no assurance that you can avoid liability in all instances in all jurisdictions. We have not provided in the past and do not intend to provide insurance covering these risks to our shareholders.

        Our declaration of trust and bylaws provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any shareholder who violates the declaration of trust or bylaws will indemnify us and hold us harmless from and against all costs, expenses, penalties, fines and other amounts, including attorneys' and other professional fees, arising from the shareholder's violation, together with interest on such amounts. Our bylaws further provide that matters for which a shareholder is liable and obligated to indemnify and hold us harmless include any breach or failure to fully comply with any covenant, condition or provision of our declaration of trust or bylaws, including the advance notice provisions pertaining to shareholder nominations and other proposals, and these provisions of our declaration of trust and bylaws apply to derivative actions brought against us in which the shareholder is not the prevailing party.

Disputes by Shareholders

        Our bylaws provide that actions brought against us or any trustee, officer, manager (including RMR LLC or its successor), agent or employee of us, by a shareholder, including derivative and class actions, shall, on the demand of any party to such dispute, be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the procedures set forth in our bylaws.

Transactions with Affiliates

        Our declaration of trust allows us to enter into contracts and transactions of any kind with any person, including any of our trustees, officers, employees or agents or any person affiliated with them. Other than general legal principles applicable to self-dealing by trustees and interested trustee transactions, there are no prohibitions in our declaration of trust or bylaws which would prohibit dealings between us and our affiliates.

Restrictions on Transfer of Shares

        Our declaration of trust provides that no person may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% of the number or value of our outstanding shares or 9.8% in number or value, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common shares. Our declaration of trust also prohibits any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares if that ownership would result in us being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or would otherwise cause us to fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT.

        Our Board of Trustees, in its discretion, may exempt a proposed transferee from the share ownership limitation if (1) it obtains such representations and undertakings from the person who makes a request therefor, as are reasonably necessary to ascertain that no individual's ownership of shares would result in our being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or our otherwise failing to qualify for taxation as a REIT; (2) such person does not and represents that it will not own, actually or constructively, an interest in one of our tenants (or a tenant of any entity which we own or control) that would cause us to own, actually or constructively, more than a 9.9% interest in the tenant; and (3) such person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in our declaration of trust) will result in such shares being automatically transferred to a charitable trust in accordance with our declaration of

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trust. In connection with any requested exemption, our Board of Trustees may require such rulings from the IRS or opinions of counsel as it deems advisable in order to determine or ensure our qualification for taxation as a REIT and such representations, undertakings and agreements it deems advisable in order for it to make the foregoing determinations.

        In determining whether to grant an exemption, our Board of Trustees may consider, among other factors, the following:

•

the general reputation and moral character of the person requesting an exemption;

•

whether the person's ownership of shares would be direct or through ownership attribution;

•

whether the person's ownership of shares would adversely affect our ability to acquire additional properties or engage in other business; and

•

whether granting an exemption would adversely affect any of our existing contractual arrangements.

        If a person attempts a transfer of our shares in violation of the ownership limitations described above, then the number of shares which would cause the violation will (a) be automatically transferred to a charitable trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries designated by us or (b) if such transfer is not effective to prevent the violation of the ownership limitations, be void ab initio. A transfer to the charitable trust will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the purported transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the charitable trust. The prohibited owner will not acquire any rights in these excess shares, will not benefit economically from ownership of any excess shares, will have no rights to distributions and will not possess any rights to vote.

        Shares of beneficial interest held in the trust shall be issued and outstanding shares of beneficial interest. The trustee of the charitable trust shall have all voting rights and rights to distributions with respect to shares of beneficial interest held in the charitable trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Any distribution paid prior to the discovery by us that shares of beneficial interest have been transferred to the trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such distribution to the trustee upon demand, and any distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the trustee. Any distribution so paid to the trustee shall be held in trust for the charitable beneficiary. The proposed transferee shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of beneficial interest held in the trust and, subject to Maryland law, the trustee of the charitable trust will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by the proposed transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. However, if we have already taken irreversible trust action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast the vote.

        Within 20 days after receiving notice from us that our shares have been transferred to a charitable trust, the trustee will sell the shares held in the charitable trust to a person designated by the trustee whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in our declaration of trust. Upon this sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner and to the charitable beneficiary as follows:

•

the prohibited owner will receive the lesser of:



(1)

the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares or, if the prohibited owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the charitable trust, for example, a gift, devise or other similar transaction, the market price (as defined in our declaration of trust) of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be transferred to the charitable trust; and

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(2)

the price per share received by the trustee from the sale of the shares held in the charitable trust.

•

any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited owner shall be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary.

        If, prior to our discovery that shares have been transferred to the charitable trust, a prohibited owner sells those shares, then:

•

those shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the charitable trust; and

•

to the extent that the prohibited owner received an amount for those shares that exceeds the amount that the prohibited owner was entitled to receive from a sale by a trustee, the prohibited owner must pay the excess to the trustee upon demand.

        Also, shares held in the charitable trust will be offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of:

•

the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the charitable trust or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of the devise or gift; and

•

the market price on the date we or our designee accepts the offer.

        We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares held in the charitable trust. The net proceeds of the sale to us will be distributed to the prohibited owner.

        Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of any shares that will or may violate the foregoing share ownership limitations, or any person who would have owned shares that resulted in a transfer to a charitable trust, is required to immediately give written notice to us of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days' prior written notice, and to provide to us such other information as we may request.

        Every owner of more than 5% of our shares is required to give written notice to us within 30 days after the end of each taxable year stating the name and address of the owner, the number of our shares which the owner beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which those shares are held. If the Code or applicable tax regulations specify a threshold below 5%, this notice provision will apply to those persons who own our shares of beneficial interest at the lower percentage. In addition, each shareholder is required to provide us upon demand with any additional information that we may request in order to determine our qualification for taxation as a REIT, to ensure compliance with the foregoing share ownership limitations and determine our compliance with the requirements of any taxing authority or government.

        The restrictions in our declaration of trust described above will not preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of any national securities exchange or automated interdealer quotation system. Our declaration of trust provides, however, that the fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs will not negate the effect of any of the foregoing limitations and any transferee in this kind of transaction will be subject to all of the provisions and limitations described above.

        All certificates evidencing our shares and any share statements for our uncertificated shares may bear legends referring to the foregoing restrictions.

        The restrictions on transfer in our governing documents are intended to assist with REIT compliance under the Code and otherwise to promote our orderly governance. These restrictions do not apply to RMR LLC or its affiliates.

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Regulatory Compliance and Disclosure

        Our bylaws provide that any shareholder who, by virtue of such shareholder's ownership of our shares of beneficial interest or actions taken by the shareholder affecting us, triggers the application of any requirement or regulation of any federal, state, municipal or other governmental or regulatory body on us or any of our subsidiaries shall promptly take all actions necessary and fully cooperate with us to ensure that such requirements or regulations are satisfied without restricting, imposing additional obligations on or in any way limiting the business, assets, operations or prospects of us or any of our subsidiaries. If the shareholder fails or is otherwise unable to promptly take such actions so as to cause satisfaction of such requirements or regulations, such shareholder shall promptly divest a sufficient number of our shares necessary to cause the application of such requirement or regulation to not apply to us or any of our subsidiaries. If the shareholder fails to cause such satisfaction or divest itself of such sufficient number of our shares by not later than the 10th day after triggering such requirement or regulation referred to in the bylaws, then any of our shares beneficially owned by such shareholder at and in excess of the level triggering the application of such requirement or regulation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be deemed to constitute shares held in violation of the ownership limitations set forth in the declaration of trust. Also, our bylaws provide that if the shareholder who triggers the application of any regulation or requirement fails to satisfy the requirements or regulations or to take curative actions within such 10 day period, we may take all other actions which the Board of Trustees deems appropriate to require compliance or to preserve the value of our assets, and we may charge the offending shareholder for our costs and expenses as well as any damages which may result.

        Our bylaws also provide that if a shareholder, by virtue of such shareholder's ownership of our shares of beneficial interest or its receipt or exercise of proxies to vote shares owned by other shareholders, would not be permitted to vote such shareholder's shares or proxies for such shares in excess of a certain amount pursuant to applicable law but the Board of Trustees determines that the excess shares or shares represented by the excess proxies are necessary to obtain a quorum, then such shareholder shall not be entitled to vote any such excess shares or proxies, and instead such excess shares or proxies may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be voted by the Advisor (as defined in our declaration of trust) or another person designated by the Board of Trustees, in proportion to the total shares otherwise voted on such matter.

Business Combinations

        The MGCL contains a provision which regulates business combinations with interested shareholders. This provision applies to REITs formed under Maryland law like us. Under the MGCL, business combinations such as mergers, consolidations, share exchanges, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities between a REIT formed under Maryland law and an interested shareholder or an affiliate of an interested shareholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. Under the MGCL the following persons are deemed to be interested shareholders:

•

any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the trust's outstanding voting shares; or

•

an affiliate or associate of the trust who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting shares of the trust.

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        After the five year prohibition period has ended, a business combination between a trust and an interested shareholder generally must be recommended by the board of trustees of the trust and must receive the following shareholder approvals:

•

the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of the trust; and

•

the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares other than shares held by the interested shareholder with whom or with whose affiliate or associate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder.

        The shareholder approvals discussed above are not required if the trust's shareholders receive the minimum price set forth in the MGCL for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its shares.

        The foregoing provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by our Board of Trustees prior to the time that the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. A person is not an interested shareholder under the statute if the board of trustees approves in advance the transaction by which that shareholder otherwise would have become an interested shareholder. Our Board of Trustees has adopted a resolution that any business combination between us and any other person is exempted from the provisions of the MGCL described in the preceding paragraphs, provided that the business combination is first approved by our Board of Trustees, including the approval of a majority of the members of our Board of Trustees who are not affiliates or associates of the interested shareholder. This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time.

Control Share Acquisitions

        The MGCL contains a provision which regulates control share acquisitions. This provision applies to REITs formed under Maryland law like us. The MGCL provides that control shares of a REIT formed under Maryland law acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent that the acquisition is approved by a vote of two thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by trustees who are employees of the trust. Control shares are voting shares, which, if aggregated with all other shares previously acquired by the acquiror, or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing trustees within one of the following ranges of voting power:

•

one-tenth or more but less than one-third;

•

one-third or more but less than a majority; or

•

a majority or more of all voting power.

        An acquiror must obtain the necessary shareholder approval each time it acquires control shares in an amount sufficient to cross one of the thresholds noted above.

        Control shares do not include shares which the acquiring person is entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval. The MGCL provides for certain exceptions from the definition of control share acquisition.

        A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the statute, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting, may compel the board of trustees of the trust to call a special meeting of shareholders to be held within

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50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the trust may itself present the matter at any shareholders meeting.

        The trust may not redeem shares for which voting rights have previously been approved. Fair value is determined without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, the control share acquisition statute of the MGCL generally provides that all other shareholders would have the right to exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of these appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

        The control share acquisition statute of the MGCL does not apply to the following:

•

shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the trust is a party to the transaction; or

•

acquisitions approved or exempted by a provision in the declaration of trust or bylaws of the trust adopted before the acquisition of shares.

        Our bylaws contain a provision exempting any and all acquisitions by any person of our common shares from the control share acquisition statute. This provision may be amended or eliminated at any time in the future. Nevertheless, even if the bylaw provision is amended or eliminated, if voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, our declaration of trust provides that our shareholders may not exercise appraisal rights unless the Board of Trustees expressly grants appraisal rights.

Amendment to our Declaration of Trust, Dissolution and Mergers

        Under the Maryland REIT Law, a REIT formed under Maryland law generally cannot dissolve, amend its declaration of trust, convert or merge unless these actions are approved by at least two-thirds of all shares entitled to be cast on the matter. The Maryland REIT Law allows a trust's declaration of trust to set a lower percentage, so long as the percentage is not less than a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our declaration of trust provides for approval of any of the foregoing actions (except amendments to certain provisions of the declaration of trust) by a majority of shares entitled to vote on these actions provided the action in question has been approved by a majority of our Board of Trustees. Our declaration of trust further provides that if permitted in the future by Maryland law, the majority required to approve any of the foregoing actions (subject to such exceptions) will be the majority of shares voted. Under the Maryland REIT Law, a declaration of trust may permit the trustees by a two-thirds vote to amend the declaration of trust from time to time to qualify as a REIT under the Code or the Maryland REIT Law without the affirmative vote or written consent of the shareholders. Our declaration of trust permits this type of action by our Board of Trustees. Our declaration of trust also permits our Board of Trustees to effect changes in our unissued shares, as described more fully above, and to change our name without shareholder approval, and provides that, to the extent permitted in the future by Maryland law, our Board of Trustees may amend any other provision of our declaration of trust without shareholder approval. The Maryland REIT Law provides that a majority of our entire board, without action by the shareholders, may, among other things, amend our declaration of trust to change the name or other designation or the par value of any class or series of our shares and the aggregate par value of our shares.

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Anti-Takeover Effect of Maryland Law and of Our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws

        The following provisions in our declaration of trust and bylaws and in Maryland law could delay or prevent a change in our control:

•

the prohibition in our declaration of trust of any shareholder other than RMR LLC and its affiliates from owning more than 9.8% of the number or value of our outstanding shares;

•

the division of our Trustees into classes, with two classes remaining with terms expiring in 2016 and 2017, respectively, which could delay a change of control of us (although effective at our 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, trustees of the class of trustees whose term expired at that meeting or expires at a subsequent annual meeting of shareholders are elected annually, with all of our trustees being elected annually as of our 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, and with a majority of our current trustees having terms expiring at our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders);

•

the authority of our Board of Trustees to make various elections under Maryland's Unsolicited Takeover Act and other provisions of Maryland law which may delay or otherwise prevent a change of control of us;

•

shareholder voting rights and standards for the election of trustees and other matters which generally require larger majorities for approval of actions which are not approved by our trustees or for the election of trustees in contested elections than for actions which are approved by our trustees or for the election of trustees in uncontested elections;

•

the authority of our Board of Trustees, and not our shareholders, to adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws;

•

the ability of our trustees to expand our Board of Trustees and fill vacancies which may be created by the Board of Trustees;

•

the fact that only our Board of Trustees may call shareholder meetings and that shareholders are not entitled to act without a meeting;

•

required qualifications for an individual to serve as a trustee and a requirement that certain of our trustees be "managing trustees" and other trustees be "independent trustees";

•

limitations on the ability of, and various requirements that must be satisfied in order for, our shareholders to propose nominees for election as trustees and propose other business to be considered at a meeting of our shareholders;

•

limitations on the ability of our shareholders to remove our trustees; and

•

the authority of our Board of Trustees to adopt certain amendments to our declaration of trust without shareholder approval, including the authority to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares, to create new classes or series of shares (including a class or series of shares that could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in our control that might involve a premium for our shares or otherwise be in the best interests of our shareholders), to increase or decrease the number of shares of any class or series, and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares from time to time by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of our shares or any new class or series of shares created by our Board of Trustees.

        Because of our ownership of AIC, we are an insurance holding company under applicable state law; accordingly, anyone who intends to solicit proxies for a person to serve as one of our trustees or for another proposal of business not approved by our Board of Trustees may be required to receive pre-clearance from the concerned insurance regulators.

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        In addition, our revolving credit and term loan agreements and our shareholders agreement with AIC each also contain change in control provisions, which are further described below, and our business management and property management agreements with RMR LLC contain provisions that allow for termination for convenience and termination for a performance reason but require the payment of a termination fee, as further described in those agreements.

        For all of these reasons, our shareholders may be unable to realize a change of control premium for any of our shares they own or otherwise effect a change of our policies.

Liability of Shareholders for Breach of Restrictions on Ownership

        Our revolving credit facility and term loan agreements provide that a change in our control, as defined in those agreements and including RMR LLC ceasing to act as our business manager and property manager, constitutes a default under those agreements, and a default under those agreements could result in a cross-default under our senior unsecured notes or our other debt. In addition, our shareholders agreement with respect to AIC provides that AIC and the other shareholders of AIC may have rights to acquire our interests in AIC if such an acquisition occurs or if we experience some other change in control. If a breach of the ownership limitations or other provisions of our declaration of trust or bylaws results in a default under our revolving credit facility or term loan agreements or our other debt or a loss of our ownership interests in AIC, the shareholder or shareholders causing the breach may be liable to us and may be liable to our other shareholders for damages. These damages may be in addition to the loss of beneficial ownership and voting rights of the shares owned by the breaching shareholder or shareholders, as described above, and these damages may be material.

SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

        Selling security holders are persons or entities that, directly or indirectly, have acquired or will from time to time acquire from us, securities of the type described in this prospectus in various private transactions. These selling security holders may from time to time offer and sell the securities pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

        Information regarding the selling security holders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act which are incorporated herein by reference.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We or our selling security holders may sell the securities to one or more underwriters for public offering and sale by them or may sell the securities to investors directly or through agents or through a combination of any of these methods of sale. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We or our selling security holders may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act. We or our selling security holders also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as their agents to offer and sell the securities upon the terms and conditions as are set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us or our selling security holders in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

39

        Any underwriting compensation paid by us or our selling security holders to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of securities offered by means of this prospectus, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us or our selling security holders, to indemnification against and contribution toward civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, any securities issued hereunder (other than common shares) will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom such securities are sold by us or our selling security holders for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you as to the liquidity of the trading market for any such securities.

        We or our selling security holders may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or our selling security holders or borrowed from us, our selling security holders or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of shares, and may use securities received from us or our selling security holders in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of shares. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        From time to time, one or more of the selling security holders may pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in some or all of the securities owned by them. The pledgees, secured parties or persons to whom the securities have been hypothecated will, upon foreclosure in the event of default, be deemed to be selling security holders. The number of the initial selling security holder's securities offered under this prospectus will decrease as and when any pledgee, secured party or other person takes such actions. The plan of distribution for that selling security holder's securities will otherwise remain unchanged. In addition, a selling security holder may, from time to time, sell the securities short, and, in those instances, this prospectus may be delivered in connection with the short sales and the securities offered under this prospectus may be used to cover short sales.

        We will not receive any proceeds from sales of any securities by the selling security holders. We cannot assure you that the selling security holders will sell all or any portion of their securities, if any, covered by this prospectus.

        In connection with an offering of securities, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing and syndicate covering transactions. These transactions may include overallotments or short sales of the securities, which involves sales of securities in excess of the principal amount of securities to be purchased by the underwriters in an offering, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of securities made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while the offering is in progress. Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities being offered. They may also cause the price of the securities being offered to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the

40

NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

        The underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the offer of securities covered by this prospectus, or their affiliates or associates, may engage in transactions with and perform services for us or our selling security holders and our or their affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they may have received or receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses.

LEGAL MATTERS

        Unless otherwise specified in connection with the particular offering of any securities, Sullivan & Worcester LLP, as to certain matters of New York law, and Venable LLP, as to certain matters of Maryland law, will pass upon the validity of the offered securities for us. Sullivan & Worcester LLP has passed upon certain tax matters in an opinion filed with the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Sullivan & Worcester LLP also represents RMR LLC, our manager, Five Star, SIR and certain of their affiliates on various matters. Venable LLP also represents Five Star and SIR on various matters.

EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements of Senior Housing Properties Trust appearing in Senior Housing Properties Trust's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2014 (including the schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of Senior Housing Properties Trust's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The combined statement of revenues and certain expenses of the CCIT—Healthcare Properties for the year ended December 31, 2014, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Senior Housing Properties Trust on June 26, 2015, has been audited by McGladrey LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such statement of revenues and certain expenses has been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The audited historical statement of revenues and certain expenses of the Senior Living Communities included on pages F-6 through F-9 of Senior Housing Properties Trust's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 26, 2015 has been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent certified public accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information on file at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of those documents upon payment of a duplicating fee to the SEC. This prospectus is part of a registration statement and does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. You can review our SEC filings and the registration statement by accessing the SEC's Internet

41

site at www.sec.gov or by accessing our Internet site at www.snhreit.com. Website addresses are included in this prospectus as textual references only and the information in such websites, and any information that is linked to our website (other than our filings with the SEC that are expressly incorporated by reference as set forth under "Information Incorporated by Reference"), is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or related registration statement.

        Our common shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol "SNH," and you can review similar information concerning us at the office of the NYSE at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Statements in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or other document may not be complete. You should refer to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Later information filed with the SEC will update and supersede information we have included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

        We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the offering of the securities made by this prospectus is completed or terminated (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including under Items 2.02 and 7.01 (and any related Item 9.01) of Form 8-K):

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014;

•

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015;

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 29, 2015, February 3, 2015, February 4, 2015, May 19, 2015, June 5, 2015 (Item 1.01 and the related exhibits included in Item 9.01 only) and June 26, 2015;

•

the information identified as incorporated by reference under Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, from our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders dated March 2, 2015; and

•

the description of our common shares contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A dated September 21, 1999, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating that description.

        We will provide you with a copy of the information we have incorporated by reference, excluding exhibits other than those which we specifically incorporate by reference in this prospectus. You may obtain this information at no cost by writing or telephoning us at: Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street, Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts, 02458-1634, (617) 796-8234, Attention: Investor Relations.

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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

        Set forth below is an estimate (except in the case of the registration fee) of the amount of fees and expenses (all of which will be borne by the registrant unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement) to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the offered securities, other than underwriting discounts and commissions (if any).

SEC Registration Fee	$	*
Trustee's Fees and Expenses		**
Printing Fees and Expenses		**
Legal Fees and Expenses		**
Accounting Fees and Expenses		**
Rating Agency Fees		**
Miscellaneous Fees and Expenses		**
Total:	$	**

*

To be deferred pursuant to Rule 456(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and calculated in connection with an offering of securities under this registration statement pursuant to Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act.

**

These fees cannot be estimated at this time as they are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers

        The laws relating to Maryland real estate investment trusts, or the Maryland REIT Law, permit a real estate investment trust, or REIT, formed under Maryland law to include in its declaration of trust a provision limiting the liability of its trustees and officers to the trust and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty by the trustee or officer that was established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action adjudicated. Our declaration of trust contains such a provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

        The Maryland REIT Law permits a REIT formed under Maryland law to indemnify and advance expenses to its trustees, officers, employees and agents to the same extent permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, or the MGCL, for directors and officers of Maryland corporations. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or are threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those capacities. However, a Maryland corporation is not permitted to provide this type of indemnification if the following is established:

•

the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

•

the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

II-1

•

in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

        Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. The MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of the following:

•

a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that the director or officer has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and

•

a written undertaking by the director or officer or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that this standard of conduct was not met.

        Our declaration of trust requires us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify (1) any present or former trustee or officer of our company or (2) any individual who, while a trustee or officer of our company, at our request, serves or has served as a trustee, director, officer, partner, employee or agent of another REIT, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of the proceeding. Our declaration of trust also permits us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served any predecessor of ours in the capacities described above and any present or former shareholder, employee or agent of us or any such predecessor. Our declaration of trust also obligates us to pay or reimburse the people described above for reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding.

        We have also entered into indemnification agreements with our trustees and our officers providing for contractual indemnification and procedures for indemnification by us to the fullest extent permitted by law and advancements by us of certain expenses and costs relating to claims, suits or proceedings arising from their service to us.

        The Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed the opinion that indemnification of trustees, officers or persons otherwise controlling a company for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 is against public policy and is therefore unenforceable. Reference is made to our declaration of trust, as amended and supplemented, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Reference is also made to our indemnification agreements with our trustees and officers a form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 17, 2012.

        Any underwriting agreements (Exhibits 1.1 through 1.5) that may be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference may contain provisions for indemnification by the underwriters of our officers, trustees and controlling persons.

Item 16.    Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Description
	1.1	Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Debt Securities).*
	1.2	Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Preferred Shares).*
	1.3	Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Common Shares).*
	1.4	Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Depositary Shares).*

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Exhibit No.		Description
	1.5	Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Warrants).*
	4.1	Composite Copy of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated September 20, 1999, as amended to date. (Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.)
	4.2	Articles Supplementary, dated May 11, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.)
	4.3	Articles Supplementary, dated April 17, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 17, 2014.)
	4.4	Amended and Restated Bylaws, adopted April 10, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 10, 2014.)
	4.5	Form of Senior Indenture.**
	4.6	Form of Senior Subordinated Indenture.**
	4.7	Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture.**
	4.8	Form of Senior Debt Security.*
	4.9	Form of Senior Subordinated Debt Security.*
	4.10	Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Security.*
	4.11	Form of Articles Supplementary for Preferred Shares.*
	4.12	Form of Deposit Agreement, including form of Depositary Receipt for Depositary Shares.*
	4.13	Form of Preferred Share Certificate.*
	4.14	Form of Common Share Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.)
	4.15	Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of Warrant.*
	5.1	Opinion of Sullivan & Worcester LLP.**
	5.2	Opinion of Venable LLP.**
	8.1	Opinion of Sullivan & Worcester LLP as to tax matters.**
	12.1	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.**
	23.1	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.**
	23.2	Consent of McGladrey LLP.**
	23.3	Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.**
	23.4	Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).**
	23.5	Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1).**
	23.6	Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).**
	24.1	Powers of Attorney of certain officers and trustees (included on signature pages).**
	25.1	Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the trustee under the Senior Indenture.**

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Exhibit No.		Description
	25.2	Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the trustee under the Senior Subordinated Indenture.**
	25.3	Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the trustee under the Junior Subordinated Indenture.**

*

To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference from documents filed or to be filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with the offering of any securities, as appropriate.

**

Filed herewith.

Item 17.    Undertakings

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

          (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

         (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;

        (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

        (2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (3)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

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        (4)   That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

          (i)  Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

         (ii)  Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

        (5)   That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

        The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

          (i)  Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

         (ii)  Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

        (iii)  The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

        (iv)  Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

        (6)   That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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        (7)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Newton, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on June 26, 2015.

SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST
By:	/s/ DAVID J. HEGARTY David J. Hegarty President and Chief Operating Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement on Form S-3 has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated; and each of the undersigned officers and trustees of Senior Housing Properties Trust, hereby severally constitutes and appoints each of David J. Hegarty and Richard A. Doyle to sign for him, and in his name in the capacity indicated below, this registration statement for the purpose of registering such securities under the Securities Act of 1933, and any and all amendments thereto, hereby ratifying and confirming their signatures as they may be signed by their attorneys to this registration statement and any and all amendments thereto.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ DAVID J. HEGARTY David J. Hegarty	President and Chief Operating Officer	June 26, 2015
/s/ RICHARD A. DOYLE Richard A. Doyle	Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)	June 26, 2015
/s/ JOHN L. HARRINGTON John L. Harrington	Independent Trustee	June 26, 2015
/s/ ADAM D. PORTNOY Adam D. Portnoy	Managing Trustee	June 26, 2015
/s/ BARRY M. PORTNOY Barry M. Portnoy	Managing Trustee	June 26, 2015
/s/ JEFFREY P. SOMERS Jeffrey P. Somers	Independent Trustee	June 26, 2015
/s/ FREDERICK N. ZEYTOONJIAN Frederick N. Zeytoonjian	Independent Trustee	June 26, 2015

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.		Description
	1.1	Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Debt Securities).*
	1.2	Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Preferred Shares).*
	1.3	Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Common Shares).*
	1.4	Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Depositary Shares).*
	1.5	Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Warrants).*
	4.1	Composite Copy of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated September 20, 1999, as amended to date. (Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.)
	4.2	Articles Supplementary, dated May 11, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.)
	4.3	Articles Supplementary, dated April 17, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 17, 2014.)
	4.4	Amended and Restated Bylaws, adopted April 10, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 10, 2014.)
	4.5	Form of Senior Indenture.**
	4.6	Form of Senior Subordinated Indenture.**
	4.7	Form of Junior Subordinated Indenture.**
	4.8	Form of Senior Debt Security.*
	4.9	Form of Senior Subordinated Debt Security.*
	4.10	Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Security.*
	4.11	Form of Articles Supplementary for Preferred Shares.*
	4.12	Form of Deposit Agreement, including form of Depositary Receipt for Depositary Shares.*
	4.13	Form of Preferred Share Certificate.*
	4.14	Form of Common Share Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.)
	4.15	Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of Warrant.*
	5.1	Opinion of Sullivan & Worcester LLP.**
	5.2	Opinion of Venable LLP.**
	8.1	Opinion of Sullivan & Worcester LLP as to tax matters.**
	12.1	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.**
	23.1	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.**
	23.2	Consent of McGladrey LLP.**
	23.3	Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.**
	23.4	Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).**

II-8

Exhibit No.		Description
	23.5	Consent of Sullivan & Worcester LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1).**
	23.6	Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).**
	24.1	Powers of Attorney of certain officers and trustees (included on signature pages).**
	25.1	Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the trustee under the Senior Indenture.**
	25.2	Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the trustee under the Senior Subordinated Indenture.**
	25.3	Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the trustee under the Junior Subordinated Indenture.**

*

To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference from documents filed or to be filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act in connection with the offering of any securities, as appropriate.

**

Filed herewith.

II-9