8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 27, 2005 (December 27, 2005)
National Health Investors, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
001-10822	62-1470956
(Commission File No.)	(IRS Employer
	Identification Number)
100 Vine Street, Suite 1202
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(615) 890-9100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On December 27, 2005, National Health Investors, Inc. issued a press release announcing it had reached agreement with National HealthCare Corporation ("NHC") to extend the existing lease on 41 properties through December 31, 2021.

The 15-year lease extension begins January 1, 2007, and includes three additional five-year renewal options, each at fair market value. Under the terms of the lease, base rent for 2007 will total $33,700,000 with rent thereafter escalating by 4% of the increase in facility revenue over a 2007 base year.

The lease was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2006 unless extended by NHC. The terms of the existing lease remain in place for 2006.

A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	National Health Investors, Inc.
	By: /s/ W. Andrew Adams
	Name: W. Andrew Adams
	Title: Chief Executive Officer
Date: December 27, 2005

Exhibit Index

Number	Exhibit
99	Press release, dated December 27, 2005

EX-99

Exhibit 99

For Release: Dec. 27, 2005

Contact: Gerald Coggin, Senior VP of Corporate Relations

Phone: (615) 890-9100

NHI extends lease with NHC on 41 properties

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- National Health Investors, Inc., (NYSE: NHI) said today it reached agreement with National HealthCare Corporation, (AMEX: NHC) to extend the existing lease on 41 properties through Dec. 31, 2021.

The 15-year lease extension begins Jan. 1, 2007, and includes three additional five-year renewal options, each at fair market value. Under the terms of the lease, base rent for 2007 will total $33,700,000 with rent thereafter escalating by 4% of the increase in facility revenue over a 2007 base year.

The lease was scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2006 unless extended by NHC. Therefore, NHI is pleased to have reached agreement to extend the lease a full twelve months in advance of its expiration. The terms of the existing lease remain in place for 2006.

National Health Investors, Inc. is a long-term health care real estate investment trust that specializes in the financing of health care real estate by first mortgage and by purchase and leaseback transactions. The common stock of the company trades on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol NHI. Additional information including NHI's most recent press releases may be obtained on our web site at www.nhinvestors.com.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. NHI cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. All forward-looking statements represent NHI's judgment as of the date of this release.

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