CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 141,295	$ 123,968	$ 158,637
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	287,831	257,783	185,391
Net amortization of debt discounts, premiums and deferred financing fees	5,729	5,942	6,319
Straight line rental income	(17,604)	(18,039)	(9,672)
Amortization of acquired real estate leases and other intangible assets	(4,941)	(4,060)	(2,322)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	526	1,894	12
Impairment of assets	18,674	796	4,367
Loss on distribution to common shareholders of The RMR Group Inc. common stock	0	38,437	0
Other non-cash adjustments	(3,772)	(2,145)	0
Gain on sale of properties	(4,061)	0	(5,453)
Gain on sale of investments	0	(71)	0
Equity in earnings of an investee	(137)	(20)	(87)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	2,326	4,389	1,970
Other assets	(1,548)	(19,917)	(1,102)
Accrued interest	1,497	(3,072)	4,207
Other liabilities	992	19,636	8,634
Net cash provided by operating activities	426,807	405,521	350,901
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Real estate acquisitions and deposits	(227,072)	(1,134,735)	(1,225,770)
Real estate improvements	(99,663)	(70,427)	(64,754)
Investment in Affiliates Insurance Company	0	0	(825)
Investment in The RMR Group Inc.	0	(17,286)	0
Proceeds from sale of properties	33,866	2,782	27,325
Proceeds from sale of investments	0	6,571	0
Net cash used for investing activities	(292,869)	(1,213,095)	(1,264,024)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net	0	659,496	322,807
Proceeds from issuance of unsecured senior notes, net of discount	250,000	0	648,915
Proceeds from unsecured term loan	0	200,000	350,000
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit facility	662,000	1,640,243	570,000
Proceeds from issuance of secured debt	620,000	0	0
Redemption of senior notes	0	(250,000)	0
Repayments of borrowings on revolving credit facility	(1,110,000)	(945,243)	(590,000)
Repayment of other debt	(178,418)	(125,879)	(86,432)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt settled in cash	(470)	(1,448)	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	(12,016)	(2,931)	(8,039)
Repurchase of common shares	(452)	(212)	0
Distributions to shareholders	(370,489)	(356,390)	(305,767)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(139,845)	817,636	901,484
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(5,907)	10,062	(11,639)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	37,656	27,594	39,233
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	31,749	37,656	27,594
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid	160,348	148,011	124,588
Income taxes paid	435	477	155
NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment acquired by issuance of common shares	0	44,521	0
Acquisitions funded by assumed debt	0	(181,433)	(15,630)
NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Assumption of mortgage notes payable	0	181,433	15,630
Issuance of common shares	0	47,691	4,823
Distribution to common shareholders of The RMR Group Inc. common stock	$ 0	$ (31,335)	$ 0