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SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant ý

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

o
 
Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
         
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
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    (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        
    (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
        
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 
 
(1)
 
Amount Previously Paid:
        
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SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST
400 Centre Street
Newton, Massachusetts 02458


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 11, 2004

To the shareholders of Senior Housing Properties Trust:

        Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of shareholders of Senior Housing Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust, will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at 400 Centre Street, Newton, Massachusetts, for the following purposes:

1.
To elect two trustees in Group II of our board.

2.
To consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

        The board has fixed the close of business on March 17, 2004, as the record date for determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

    By Order of the Board,

 
 
DAVID J. HEGARTY, Secretary

April 13, 2004
 
 

WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE AT THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST
400 Centre Street
Newton, Massachusetts 02458

PROXY STATEMENT

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on Tuesday, May 11, 2004

INTRODUCTION

        A notice of the annual meeting of shareholders of Senior Housing Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust, or the trust, is on the preceding page and a form of proxy solicited by our board of trustees, or the board, is enclosed. We are paying the cost of this solicitation. In addition to solicitation by mail, our trustees and officers may solicit proxies personally or by telephone or e-mail. This proxy statement and the attached form of proxy are being first sent to shareholders on or about April 13, 2004, together with a copy of our annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2003, including our audited financial statements.

        The annual meeting record date is March 17, 2004. Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 17, 2004, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any postponement or adjournment thereof. We had 63,453,338 common shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value per share, outstanding on the record date and entitled to vote at the meeting. The holders of our outstanding common shares are entitled to one vote per common share.

        Common shares represented by valid proxies will count for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum for the meeting and will be voted as specified in the proxies. If no specification is made by the shareholder, the common shares will be voted FOR the election of our board's nominees. To be elected, each nominee for our board must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting. Common shares represented by valid proxies marked "Withhold" as to one or both nominees will not be counted as voting in favor of the applicable nominee or nominees for trustee. A shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it any time prior to its exercise by delivering to our Secretary a written revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting his or her common shares in person.

        If you do not give a proxy to vote your common shares, your brokerage firm may either leave your common shares unvoted or may vote your common shares on routine matters including the proposal before the meeting. If your brokerage firm signs and returns a proxy card on your behalf, but does not indicate how the common shares should be voted, the common shares represented on the proxy card will be voted FOR the election of our board's nominees.

        Our website address is included several times in this proxy statement as a textual reference only and the information in the website is not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.


Item 1. Election of the two trustees in Group II of our board.

        The number of our trustees is currently fixed at five, and our board is currently divided into three groups, with two trustees in Group I, two trustees in Group II and one trustee in Group III. Trustees in each group are elected for three year terms and until their successors are elected and qualify.


        Our business is conducted under the general direction of our board as provided by our declaration of trust, our bylaws and the laws of the State of Maryland, the state in which we were organized on December 16, 1998.

        Three of our trustees, Frank J. Bailey, John L. Harrington and Frederick N. Zeytoonjian are our independent trustees within the meaning of our bylaws; that is, trustees who are not involved in our day to day activities or employed by Reit Management & Research LLC, or RMR, which is our investment manager. Mr. Zeytoonjian joined our board on October 27, 2003, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Arthur G. Koumantzelis on the same date. Our board is comprised of a majority of trustees who also qualify as independent trustees pursuant to the corporate governance standards for companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE.

        In determining independence pursuant to NYSE standards, each year our board affirmatively determines whether trustees have a direct or indirect material relationship with the trust, including its subsidiaries. When assessing a trustee's relationship with the trust, the board considers all relevant facts and circumstances, not merely from the trustee's standpoint, but from that of the persons or organizations with which the trustee has an affiliation. Material relationships can include commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and familial relationships.

        The board has determined that Messrs. Bailey, Harrington and Zeytoonjian currently qualify as independent under NYSE rules. In making that determination, the board considered the fact that Mr. Harrington served on the board of Five Star Quality Care, Inc., or Five Star, a major tenant of ours, from 2001 until January 2004, and determined that this former relationship does not impair his judgment in connection with his duties and responsibilities as a trustee and is not material.

        During 2003, our board held eight meetings and our audit committee held eight meetings. During 2003, each trustee attended 75% or more of the total number of meetings of our board and any committee of which he was a member during the time in which he served on our board or such committee. All of our then serving trustees attended last year's annual meeting of shareholders.

        In 2003, each independent trustee received an annual fee of $20,000 for services as a trustee, plus a fee of $500 for each meeting attended. Only one $500 fee was paid if a board meeting and a board committee meeting were held on the same date. In 2003 the chairperson of our audit committee received an additional $5,000; this position rotates periodically among our independent trustees. In addition, in 2003, each independent trustee received a grant of 500 of our common shares as part of his annual compensation. We generally reimburse all trustees for travel expenses incurred in connection with their duties as trustees.

        The present trustees in Group II are John L. Harrington and Gerard M. Martin. The terms of the Group II trustees elected at the meeting will expire at our 2007 annual meeting of shareholders. The board has nominated Messrs. Harrington and Martin for reelection as the Group II trustees. The persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to exercise properly executed and delivered proxies for the election of Messrs. Harrington and Martin, except to the extent that proxy cards indicate that the vote should be withheld for one or both nominees. HRPT Properties Trust, or HRPT, our former parent, and Mr. Martin and Barry M. Portnoy, who have voting control over 9,783,146 common shares (15.4%) of our common shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting), intend to vote FOR the election of Messrs. Harrington and Martin as Group II trustees.

        The board recommends a vote FOR the election of John L. Harrington and Gerard M. Martin as the Group II trustees.

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NOMINEES FOR TERMS EXPIRING IN 2007

        The following is the recent principal occupations and ages as of March 17, 2004, of Messrs. Harrington and Martin:

JOHN L. HARRINGTON, Age: 67

        Mr. Harrington has been one of our trustees since 1999. Mr. Harrington has been Executive Director, Chairman of the Board and trustee of the Yawkey Foundation and a trustee of the JRY Trust for over five years. During that period until February 27, 2002, Mr. Harrington was also the Chief Executive Officer of the Boston Red Sox Baseball Club. Mr. Harrington was a director of Five Star from 2001 until January 2004, and has been a trustee of Hospitality Properties Trust, or HPT, since 1995 and a trustee of RMR Real Estate Fund since December 2003. Mr. Harrington is a certified public accountant.

GERARD M. MARTIN, Age: 69

        Mr. Martin has been one of our managing trustees since 1999. Mr. Martin is also a managing trustee of HRPT and of HPT and has been since 1986 and 1995, respectively. Mr. Martin is also a managing director of Five Star and a managing trustee of RMR Real Estate Fund, and has been since 2001 and 2002, respectively. Mr. Martin is a director and 50% beneficial owner of RMR.

        In addition to Messrs. Harrington and Martin, the following persons currently serve on our board or as our executive officers. The following information is as of March 17, 2004:


CONTINUING TRUSTEES

FRANK J. BAILEY, Age: 48

        Mr. Bailey has been one of our trustees since 2002. Mr. Bailey is a trustee of HPT and RMR Real Estate Fund and has been since August and December 2003, respectively. Mr. Bailey has been a partner in the Boston law firm of Sherin and Lodgen LLP for over five years. Mr. Bailey is a Group I trustee and will serve until our 2006 annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is elected and qualifies.

BARRY M. PORTNOY, Age: 58

        Mr. Portnoy has been one of our managing trustees since 1999. Mr. Portnoy is also a managing trustee of HRPT and of HPT and has been since 1986 and 1995, respectively. Mr. Portnoy is also a managing director of Five Star and a managing trustee of RMR Real Estate Fund and has been since 2001 and 2002, respectively. Mr. Portnoy is chairman and 50% beneficial owner of RMR. Mr. Portnoy is a Group I trustee and will serve until our 2006 annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is elected and qualifies.

FREDERICK N. ZEYTOONJIAN, Age 68

        Mr. Zeytoonjian has been one of our trustees since October 2003. Mr. Zeytoonjian is the founder and has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Turf Products Corporation, one of the largest distributors of lawn care equipment in the United States, for over five years. Mr. Zeytoonjian has been a trustee of HRPT since 1999. Mr. Zeytoonjian is a Group III trustee and will serve until our 2005 annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is elected and qualifies.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

DAVID J. HEGARTY, Age: 47

        Mr. Hegarty has been our President, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary since 1999. From 2000 to 2001 he was also our acting Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer and the acting Treasurer of Five Star. Mr. Hegarty has been a director, President and Secretary of RMR for over five years. Prior to 1999, Mr. Hegarty was the President of HRPT. Mr. Hegarty is a certified public accountant.

JOHN R. HOADLEY, Age: 32

        Mr. Hoadley has been our Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer since 2001. From 2000 to 2001, he had been our Controller and Controller of Five Star. Mr. Hoadley was Controller of HPT from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Hoadley is a Vice President of and, since 1998, has served in various capacities for RMR and its affiliated companies. Mr. Hoadley is a certified public accountant.

        There are no family relationships among any of our trustees or executive officers. Our executive officers serve at the discretion of our board.


BOARD COMMITTEES AND COMMUNICATIONS

        We have an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and governance committee. Our board has adopted charters for each of these committees which are available on our website at www.snhreit.com under the heading "Governance." Each of the above committees is comprised of Messrs. Bailey, Harrington and Zeytoonjian, who are independent under applicable NYSE listing standards and each committee's respective charter. Our policy with respect to board members' attendance at our annual meetings of shareholders can be found in our governance guidelines, the full text of which appears in the "Governance" section of our website at www.snhreit.com.

        The primary function of our audit committee is to assist the board in fulfilling its responsibilities for oversight of: (1) the integrity of the trust's financial statements; (2) the trust's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (3) the independent auditor's qualifications and independence; and (4) the performance of the trust's internal audit function and independent auditor. Mr. Zeytoonjian became a member of the audit committee on October 27, 2003 to fill the vacancy on the committee which resulted when Mr. Koumantzelis resigned. The board has determined that Mr. Harrington is an audit committee financial expert and is "independent" as defined by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and the NYSE. The board's determination that Mr. Harrington is a financial expert was based upon his prior experiences as: (i) executive director of a large charitable organization; (ii) chief executive officer of a major professional sports business; (iii) a member of our audit committee and of the audit committees of other publicly owned companies; (iv) a certified public accountant; (v) a director of a large national bank; and (vi) a college teacher of accounting. A copy of our audit committee charter is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A.

        Our compensation committee was recently established in March 2004. As described elsewhere in this proxy statement, in the past, our independent trustees annually reviewed the performance of our investment manager and annually made recommendations regarding incentive share grants. The compensation committee has now assumed responsibility for these tasks, including: (1) to review at

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least annually the performance of our investment manager under its contract with us and to make determinations regarding continuance or amendments of the contract; (2) to evaluate the performance of our executive officers and determine the compensation, if any, which is payable to them directly by us; (3) to review the performance of our director of internal audit and determine the compensation payable to him; and (4) to evaluate, approve and administer all our equity compensation plans.

        Our nominating and governance committee is a newly constituted committee established in March 2004. The responsibilities of our nominating and governance committee include: (1) identification of individuals qualified to become members of our board and recommending the trustee nominees for each annual meeting of shareholders or when vacancies occur; (2) development and recommendation to the board of a set of governance principles; and (3) oversight of the evaluation of the board and management.

        Any shareholder or other interested party who desires to communicate with our independent trustees or any other trustees, individually or as a group, may do so by filling out a report at the "Contact Us" section of our website (www.snhreit.com), by calling our toll-free confidential message system at 866-511-5038, or by writing to the party for whom the communication is intended, care of our director of internal audit, Senior Housing Properties Trust, 400 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02458. Our director of internal audit will then deliver any communication to the appropriate party or parties.


MEETINGS BY INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

        Pursuant to our governance guidelines, our independent trustees, who constitute our non-management trustees, meet at least once each year without management. The presiding trustee at these meetings is the chair of our audit committee, unless the independent trustees in attendance select another independent trustee to preside.


SELECTION OF CANDIDATES FOR TRUSTEES;
SHAREHOLDER RECOMMENDATIONS, NOMINATIONS AND PROPOSALS

        Our board has established governance guidelines which, among other matters, set forth the qualifications for service on our board of trustees. These guidelines may be changed from time to time by our board upon the recommendation of our nominating and governance committee. Our board makes nominations of persons to be elected by shareholders as trustees. Our board also elects trustees to fill board vacancies which may occur from time to time. In both these circumstances, our board will act upon recommendations made by our nominating and governance committee.

        It is the policy of our nominating and governance committee to consider candidates for election as trustees who are recommended by our shareholders pursuant to the procedures set forth below.

        If a shareholder who is entitled to do so under our bylaws desires to recommend an individual for membership on the board, then that shareholder must provide a written notice to the chair of the nominating and governance committee and to our Secretary at 400 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02458. In order for a recommendation to be considered by the nominating and governance committee, this notice must be received within the 30-day period ending on the last date which shareholders may give

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timely notice for trustee nominations under our bylaws and applicable state and federal law, and contain, at a minimum, the following:

        (A)  as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to recommend for election or reelection as a trustee,

        (B)  as to the shareholder giving the notice and any shareholder associated person (defined below), the class, series and number of our shares which are owned of record by such shareholder and by such shareholder associated person, if any, and the class, series and number of, and the nominee holder for, shares owned beneficially but not of record by such shareholder and by any such shareholder associated person;

        (C)  as to the shareholder giving the notice and any shareholder associated person, the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on our share ledger and current name and address, if different, of such shareholder associated person;

        (D)  as to the shareholder giving the notice and any shareholder associated person, the record of all purchases and sales of our securities by such shareholder or shareholder associated person during the previous 12-month period including the date of the transactions, the class, series and number of securities involved in the transactions and the consideration involved; and

        (E)  to the extent known by the shareholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other shareholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a trustee on the date of such notice.

        A "shareholder associated person" of any shareholder is (1) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such shareholder, (2) any beneficial owner of our shares of beneficial interest owned of record, or beneficially, by such shareholder and (3) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such shareholder or shareholder associated person.

        Our nominating and governance committee may request additional information about the shareholder nominee or about a recommending shareholder.

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        In considering candidates to serve as trustees, our nominating and governance committee seeks individuals who have qualities which the committee believes may be effective in serving our long term best interests. Among the characteristics which the committee considers are the following: the quality of the candidate's past services to the company, if any; the business and personal experience of the candidate and their relevance to our business; the reputation of the candidate for integrity; the reputation of the candidate for intelligence, sound judgment, the ability to understand complex financial issues and to make meaningful inquiries; the willingness and ability of the candidate to devote sufficient time to board business; the familiarity of the candidate with the responsibilities of service on the board of a publicly owned company; the status of the candidate as independent of management; and other matters that the nominating and governance committee deems appropriate. In seeking candidates for trustees who have not previously served as our trustees the nominating and governance committee may use the business, professional and personal contacts of its members, it may accept recommendations from other board members, and, if it considers it appropriate, the nominating and governance committee may engage a professional search firm. Shareholder recommendations which meet the requirements set forth above will be considered using the same criteria as other candidates considered by our nominating and governance committee.

        To be eligible for consideration at our 2005 annual meeting, shareholder nominations of a candidate (or candidates) to be elected as a trustee (or trustees) must be received at our principal executive offices no earlier than December 14, 2004 and no later than January 13, 2005. Shareholder nominations must also be made in compliance with the informational requirements about the nominee and the nominator and otherwise as set forth in our bylaws. Shareholder nominations which are recommended by our nominating and governance committee and supported by our board will appear in our 2005 proxy statement. Shareholder nominations which are properly made in accordance with our bylaws but are not recommended by our nominating and governance committee or are not supported by our board will not appear in our 2005 proxy statement, but they may be considered at our annual meeting.

        In 2003, we did not pay any third party to identify or to assist in the evaluation of any candidate for election to our board. We did not receive any shareholder recommendations or nominations for our board for the 2004 annual meeting, except the nominations made by our board which includes members who are shareholders.

        Under our bylaws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, to be eligible for inclusion in the proxy statement for our 2005 annual meeting, shareholder proposals other than nominations must be received at our principal executive offices no later than December 14, 2004, and must otherwise satisfy the conditions for inclusion established by our bylaws and the SEC. Proposals by shareholders, other than nominations intended for presentation at the 2005 annual meeting but not intended to be included in our proxy statement for that meeting, must be received at our principal executive office no earlier than December 14, 2004, and no later than January 13, 2005, and must meet all other requirements of our bylaws and of the SEC.

        Copies of our bylaws, including the provisions which concern the requirements for shareholder nominations and proposals, may be obtained by writing to our Secretary, Senior Housing Properties Trust, 400 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02458.

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OTHER INFORMATION

Compensation of Executive Officers

        We do not have any employees. Services which otherwise would be provided by employees are provided by RMR. Payments by us to RMR for services during 2003 are described in "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions."

        Except with respect to incentive share awards, we have not paid and have no current plans to pay compensation to our executive officers. RMR conducts our day to day operations and compensated Messrs. Martin, Portnoy, Hegarty and Hoadley in connection with their services rendered to RMR and to us. None of our executive officers have an employment agreement with RMR or with us. The following table provides summary long term compensation information for incentive share awards made for the past three years to our executive officers.


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal Position
   Year
   Restricted Share
Awards(1)
David J. Hegarty   2003   $ 40,470
  President and Chief Operating Officer   2002   $ 45,840
    2001   $ 39,060

John R. Hoadley
 
2003
 
$
26,980
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer   2002   $ 30,560
    2001   $ 13,020
(1)
All incentive share awards provide that one third of each award vests on the grant date and one third vests on or about each of the next two anniversaries following the grant. In the event an executive officer granted an incentive share award ceases to perform duties for us or ceases to be an officer or an employee of RMR during the vesting period, the common shares which have not yet vested may be repurchased by us for nominal consideration. Vested and unvested shares awarded under our incentive share award plan are entitled to distributions. The dollar amounts shown in the table represent the vested and unvested total number of our common shares awarded during the year shown multiplied by the closing price for our common shares on the NYSE on the date of grant.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        In 2003, we did not have a compensation committee; rather a committee comprised of our independent trustees made recommendations for grants of common shares under our incentive share award plan and these recommendations were acted upon by our board. In March 2004, we established

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a compensation committee comprised of our independent trustees. Relationships between us and certain of our trustees are described under "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions."

Performance Graph—Comparison of Cumulative Total Return

        The graph below shows the cumulative total shareholder returns on our common shares, assuming a $100 investment on October 12, 1999, the date our common shares began to trade publicly, as compared with (a) the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts Inc.'s (NAREIT) index of all tax qualified real estate investment trusts listed on the NYSE, the American Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq National Market System, and (b) the Standard & Poor's 500 total return index. The graph assumes reinvestment of all cash distributions. In addition, the Five Star shares that we distributed to our shareholders of record on December 17, 2001, are assumed sold on December 17, 2001, and the proceeds immediately reinvested in our common shares. Five Star was our wholly owned subsidiary before we distributed a majority of its common shares to our shareholders on December 31, 2001.

GRAPHIC

Executive Compensation Report

        We developed and implemented our incentive share award plan in recognition of the following circumstances. First, our common shares are primarily a yield vehicle for shareholders and do not appreciate in value in the same manner as other equity securities. Therefore, a conventional stock option plan would not provide appropriate incentives for management. Second, because our executive officers are employees of RMR and receive their salary compensation from RMR, the trustees wished to establish an arrangement which would, among other things, (a) foster a continuing identity of interest between management and our shareholders, and (b) recognize that our executive officers perform certain duties on our behalf, primarily with regard to shareholder relations and investor communications, which fall outside of the scope of services covered by the advisory contract between us and RMR. In granting incentive share awards, our trustees consider factors such as the amount and terms of our incentive shares previously granted to our executive officers and the amount of time spent and complexity of the duties performed by executive officers on our behalf. The trustees imposed, and may impose, vesting and other conditions on the granted common shares which may encourage recipients of share awards to remain with us and RMR.

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        In 2003, Mr. Hegarty, our Secretary and President, received a grant of 3,000 common shares under our incentive share award plan, 1,000 of which vested immediately upon grant and 1,000 of which will vest in each of 2004 and 2005. In 2003, Mr. Hoadley, our Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, received a grant of 2,000 common shares, 667 of which vested immediately upon grant, 667 of which will vest in 2004, and 666 of which will vest in 2005. In addition to shares granted to our executive officers listed above, 9,500 of our shares were granted to other employees of RMR in 2003. The determination of the number of common shares granted to these individuals was based on the number of common shares previously granted to them, the fair market value of the common shares granted, and the trustees' opinion as to the value of the services to us performed by each individual.

        Payments by us to RMR are described in "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions."


 
 
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Frank J. Bailey
John L. Harrington
Gerard M. Martin
Barry M. Portnoy
Frederick N. Zeytoonjian

Audit Committee Report

        In the course of its oversight of our financial reporting process, our audit committee has: (1) reviewed and discussed with management our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003; (2) discussed with Ernst & Young LLP, our independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Accounting Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees; (3) received the written disclosures and the letter from the auditors required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees; (4) discussed with the auditors their independence; and (5) considered whether the provision of nonaudit services by the auditors is compatible with maintaining their independence and has concluded that it is compatible at this time.

        Based on the foregoing review and discussions, our audit committee recommended to our board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, for filing with the SEC.


 
 
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Frank J. Bailey, Chairman
John L. Harrington
Frederick N. Zeytoonjian

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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

        The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common shares by each person or entity known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common shares, and by each of our trustees and executive officers, individually and as a group, as of March 17, 2004. Unless otherwise indicated, each owner named below has sole voting and investment power for all common shares shown to be beneficially owned by that person or entity, subject to the matters set forth in the footnotes to the table below.

 
   Beneficial Ownership(1)
  
Name and Address(2)
   Number of Shares
   Percent
  
Beneficial Owners of More than 5% of our Common Shares          
HRPT Properties Trust(3)   9,660,738   15.2 %

Trustees and Executive Officers
 
 
 
 
 
Frank J. Bailey(4)   1,500   *  
John L. Harrington(4)   2,500   *  
David J. Hegarty(5)   14,670   *  
John R. Hoadley(5)   5,500   *  
Gerard M. Martin(6)   9,721,942   15.3 %
Barry M. Portnoy(6)   9,721,942   15.3 %
Frederick N. Zeytoonjian(4)   500   *  
All trustees and executive officers as a group (seven persons)(4)(5)(6)   9,807,816   15.5 %
*
Less than 1% of our common shares.

(1)
Our declaration of trust places restrictions on the ability of any person or group to acquire beneficial ownership of more than 9.8% of any class of our equity shares.

(2)
The address of HRPT is 400 Centre Street, Newton, Massachusetts 02458 and the address of each of our trustees and executive officers is c/o Senior Housing Properties Trust, 400 Centre Street, Newton, Massachusetts 02458.

(3)
Under applicable regulatory definitions, RMR, as investment manager of HRPT, may be deemed to own beneficially HRPT's 9,660,738 common shares. RMR, however, disclaims beneficial ownership of HRPT's common shares.

(4)
Includes the annual grant of 500 common shares as part of the annual compensation to each independent trustee and 500 common shares granted to Mr. Zeytoonjian upon becoming a trustee.

(5)
Includes the following common shares granted under our incentive share award plan which have not vested: Mr. Hegarty—3,000 shares; and Mr. Hoadley—2,000 shares. Also includes with respect to Mr. Hegarty, 230 common shares owned jointly by Mr. Hegarty and his wife.

(6)
Mr. Martin is the sole shareholder of a corporation which owns 61,204 common shares. Mr. Portnoy is the sole shareholder of a separate corporation which owns 61,204 common shares. HRPT, of which Messrs. Martin and Portnoy are managing trustees, owns 9,660,738 common shares. Messrs. Martin and Portnoy may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the common shares owned by HRPT; however, Messrs. Martin and Portnoy disclaim beneficial ownership of HRPT's common shares.

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Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

        In 1999, HRPT distributed a majority of our shares to its shareholders of record on October 8, 1999. In order to effect this spin off and to govern relations after the spin off, we entered into a transaction agreement with HRPT, pursuant to which it was agreed that so long as (1) HRPT owns more than 10% of our shares; (2) we and HRPT engage the same investment manager; or (3) we and HRPT have one or more common managing trustees; then we will not invest in office buildings, including medical office buildings and clinical laboratory buildings, without the prior consent of HRPT's independent trustees, and HRPT will not invest in properties involving senior housing without the prior consent of our independent trustees. If an investment involves both office and senior housing components, the character of the investment will be determined by building area, excluding common areas, unless our board and HRPT's board otherwise agree at the time. These provisions do not apply to any investments HRPT held at the time of the spin off. Also as part of the transaction agreement, we agreed to subject our ability to waive ownership restrictions contained in our declaration of trust to the consent of HRPT's trustees so long as HRPT owns more than 9.8% of our outstanding voting or equity interest.

        On December 31, 2001, we distributed substantially all of our shares of Five Star to our shareholders of record on December 17, 2001. In order to effect this spin off and to govern relations after the spin off, we entered into agreements with Five Star, pursuant to which it was agreed that:

        At the time Five Star was spun off from us, all of the persons serving as directors of Five Star were also our trustees. Two of our trustees, Messrs. Martin and Portnoy, are current directors of Five Star.

        As of December 31, 2003, we leased 97 senior living communities to Five Star for total annual minimum rent of $79.6 million.

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        During 2003, we and Five Star were jointly involved in litigation with Marriott International, Inc., and Marriott Senior Living Services, Inc., the operator of 31 of the senior living communities which we leased to Five Star. We and Five Star equally shared the costs of this litigation. This litigation was settled in January 2004.

        Since January 1, 2003, we have entered or agreed to enter into several transactions with Five Star, including the following:

13

        In October 2003, we entered into an agreement between us and HRPT, pursuant to which we agreed to file a registration statement with respect to our shares held by HRPT and use reasonable efforts to effect the registration of those shares. HRPT paid the expenses of this registration. The registration statement became effective October 24, 2003. In January and February 2004, we completed a public offering of 5 million of our common shares. In a simultaneous offering, HRPT sold 3,148,500 of our shares which it owned. We and HRPT were parties to a joint underwriting agreement in connection with this offering. We did not receive any proceeds from the sale of our shares by HRPT, but HRPT paid its pro-rata share of the expenses of this offering.

        RMR provides investment, management and administrative services to us under an agreement which is renewed annually if the renewal is approved by a majority of our independent trustees. RMR is compensated at an annual rate equal to a percentage of our average real estate investments, as defined. The percentage applied to our investments at the time we were spun off from HRPT is 0.5%. The annual compensation percentage for the first $250 million of investments made since our spin off from HRPT is 0.7% and thereafter is 0.5%. RMR may also earn an incentive fee based upon increases in our funds from operations per share, as defined. The incentive fee payable to RMR is paid in common shares. Aggregate fees earned by RMR for services during 2003 were $7.6 million, including $263,000 as an incentive fee which will be paid in common shares in April 2004. RMR is owned by Messrs. Martin and Portnoy who are our managing trustees. Messrs. Martin and Portnoy each have material interests in the transactions between us and RMR described above. All transactions between us and RMR are approved by our independent trustees. Our independent trustees have approved the renewal of the advisory agreement for its term which will end December 31, 2004.

        Until March 31, 1997, Mr. Portnoy was a partner of Sullivan & Worcester LLP, our counsel, and counsel to HRPT, RMR, Five Star, and affiliates of each of the foregoing and he received payments from that firm during 2003 in respect of his retirement.


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

        Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires that our trustees, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of securities with the SEC and the NYSE. Our executive officers, trustees and greater than 10% shareholders are required to furnish us with copies of all forms they file pursuant to Section 16(a). Based solely on our review of the copies of these reports furnished to us or written representations that no such reports were required, we believe that, during 2003, all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, trustees and greater than 10% shareholders were timely met.


AUDITORS

        We are not required to submit the selection of our auditors to a shareholder vote. Our board appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors for 2003. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at our annual meeting, with the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so. This representative will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders who are present at our annual meeting.

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        The fees for services provided by Ernst & Young LLP to us in the last two fiscal years were as follows:

 
   FY 2002
   FY 2003
Audit Fees   $ 161,000   $ 164,700
Audit-Related Fees     —     —
Tax Fees     97,487     22,701
   
 
  Subtotal     258,487     187,401
All Other Fees     —     —
   
 
Ernst & Young LLP Total Fees   $ 258,487   $ 187,401
   
 

        Our audit committee has established policies and procedures which are intended to control the services provided by our auditors and to monitor their continuing independence. Under these policies, no services may be undertaken by our auditors unless the engagement is specifically approved by our audit committee or the services are included within a category which has been pre approved by our audit committee. The maximum charge for services is established by the audit committee when the specific engagement or the category of services is approved or pre approved. In certain circumstances, management is required to notify the audit committee when pre approved services are undertaken and the committee or its chairman may approve amendments or modifications of the engagement or the maximum fees. Our director of internal audit is responsible to report to our audit committee regarding compliance with these policies.

        Our audit committee will not approve engagements of our auditors to perform nonaudit services for us if doing so will cause our auditors to cease to be independent within the meaning of applicable SEC or NYSE rules. In other circumstances, our audit committee considers, among other things, whether our auditors are able to provide the required services in a more or less effective and efficient manner than other available service providers.

        Since May 6, 2003, the date when SEC rules relating to approval of services by auditors became effective, all services for which we engaged our auditors were approved by our audit committee. The total fees we paid to Ernst & Young LLP for services in 2002 and 2003 are set forth above. The only nonaudit fees we paid to Ernst & Young LLP in 2002 and 2003 were for tax services. These tax services involved reviewing our tax reporting and tax compliance procedures.

        Our audit committee approved the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP to provide these non audit services because they determined that Ernst & Young LLP's providing these services would not compromise its independence and that its familiarity with our record keeping and accounting systems would permit it to provide these services with equal or higher quality, quicker and at a lower cost than we could obtain these services from other providers.

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HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS

        Some banks, brokers and other record holders may participate in the practice of "householding" proxy statements and annual reports. This means that unless shareholders give contrary instructions only one copy of our proxy statement or annual report may be sent to multiple shareholders in each household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of either document to you if you call or write to us at the following address or telephone number: Investor Services, Senior Housing Properties Trust, 400 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02458, telephone (617) 796-8350. If you want to receive separate copies of our proxy statement or annual report in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, you should contact your bank, broker or other record holder, or you may contact us at the above address or telephone number.


OTHER MATTERS

        At this time, we know of no other matters which will be brought before our annual meeting. However, if other matters properly come before our annual meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof, and if discretionary authority to vote with respect thereto has been conferred by the enclosed proxy, the persons named in the proxy will vote the proxy in accordance with their discretion on those matters.


 
 
By Order of the Board
     
    DAVID J. HEGARTY, Secretary
Newton, Massachusetts    

April 13, 2004
 
 

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APPENDIX A

SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST

CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Adopted March 10, 2004

I.     PURPOSE

The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its responsibilities for oversight of (1) the integrity of the Trust's financial statements, (2) the Trust's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the independent auditors' qualifications and independence, and (4) the performance of the Trust's internal audit function and independent auditor. The Audit Committee is also responsible for preparing the report required to be included in the proxy statement for the Trust's annual meeting of shareholders under rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and any other reports required to be prepared by it under the rules and regulations of the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").

In discharging its oversight role, the Audit Committee is empowered to investigate any matter within the Audit Committee's scope of responsibilities with full access to all books, records, facilities and personnel of the Trust. The Audit Committee shall have the authority to retain and determine funding for independent legal, accounting or other consultants or advisors to advise the Audit Committee for this purpose.

The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent auditor and the resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting. The independent auditor is ultimately accountable to (and shall directly report to) the Audit Committee, as representatives of the shareholders.

The Audit Committee has final authority and responsibility for the appointment and assignment of duties to the director of internal audit. The Audit Committee shall direct that the director of internal audit and staff be authorized to have full, free and unrestricted access to all the functions, records, property and personnel of the Trust in order to carry out the duties prescribed by the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee shall annually (a) review and, if appropriate, update this Charter, and (b) review and evaluate the performance of its duties.

The activities enumerated in Section IV of this Charter are designed to promote the Audit Committee's fulfillment of this function, as well as to facilitate communications between the Board of Trustees, the Trust's management and the Trust's internal audit department and independent auditor on significant accounting judgments, estimates, principles, practices and policies. Notwithstanding the Audit Committee's role in oversight of the Trust's financial reporting process and financial statements, it is acknowledged that the Trust's management ultimately has responsibility for that process and those financial statements.

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II.    COMPOSITION

The Audit Committee shall be comprised of three or more trustees as determined by the Board of Trustees, each of whom shall meet the independence and experience requirements of the Rules of the NYSE and any other applicable laws and regulations.

At least one member of the Audit Committee shall have accounting or related financial management expertise, and, unless the Board otherwise determines, at least one member of the Audit Committee (who may be the same member) shall be a "financial expert" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the SEC (in each case, as determined by the Board of Trustees in its business judgment).

The members of the Audit Committee shall be elected by the Board of Trustees or an authorized committee thereof, and vacancies on such Audit Committee shall be filled as provided in the Bylaws. Unless a Chair is elected by the full Board of Trustees, the members of the Audit Committee may designate a Chair by majority vote of the full Audit Committee membership.

No member of the Audit Committee shall (a) directly or indirectly receive consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees other than Board of Trustees fees or Audit Committee fees or other Board committee fees; or (b) be an "affiliated person" (as defined by SEC rules and regulations) of the Trust or any subsidiary thereof, unless permitted by an exemption provided by such rules and regulations. The Trust shall make required disclosure of the exception in its annual proxy statement.

No member of the Audit Committee may simultaneously serve on the audit committees of more than three public companies (excluding investment management companies) unless the Board of Trustees shall determine that such simultaneous service will not impair the ability of such member to effectively serve on the Audit Committee, and the Trust shall disclose this determination in its next annual proxy statement.

III.  MEETINGS

It is expected that the Audit Committee will meet at least four times a year, on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as the circumstances require. Meetings of the Audit Committee shall be called and held, and the Audit Committee may act by written consent in lieu of a meeting, as provided in the Bylaws.

The Audit Committee shall meet in separate executive sessions with management, the director of internal audit and the independent auditor to discuss any matters that the Audit Committee (or any of these groups) believes should be discussed privately.

IV.    RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

The following are activities of the Audit Committee designed to promote the fulfillment of its functions as described in this Charter (these functions are set forth as a guide with the understanding that the Audit Committee may diverge from this guide as appropriate given the circumstances):

DOCUMENTS/REPORTS REVIEW

1.
Review the Trust's annual and quarterly financial statements released to the public, including any certification, report, opinion, or review rendered by the independent auditor, and the Trust's disclosures under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of

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2.
Discuss the Trust's audited financial statements with representatives of the Trust's management.

3.
Quarterly, in connection with the preparation of each periodic report of the Trust, review management's disclosures to the Audit Committee and the contents of each certification filed or furnished with such report. This review shall include a discussion with the President and the Treasurer of material weaknesses and significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Trust's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data, and any material weaknesses in internal controls identified by the President and the Treasurer, and any fraud (without regard to materiality) involving management or employees with a significant role in the Trust's internal controls.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

4.
Possess the ultimate authority and responsibility to select, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the independent auditor; and determine the appropriate funding for payment of compensation (a) to the independent auditor for the purpose of rendering or issuing an audit report; and (b) to any advisors employed by the Audit Committee to carry out its duties.

5.
At least annually, obtain and review a report by the independent auditor describing: (a) the firm's internal quality-control procedures; and (b) any material issues raised by (1) the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or (2) any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues.

6.
At least annually, evaluate the independence of the independent auditor by:

(a)
Obtaining from and discussing with the independent auditor a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the independent auditor and the Trust and their impact on the independent auditor's independence;

(b)
Reviewing and evaluating the lead partner of the independent auditor;

(c)
Considering whether there should be a rotation of the audit firm in order to ensure auditor independence; and

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7.
Periodically consult with the independent auditor out of the presence of management about internal controls and the quality, acceptability, fullness and accuracy of the Trust's financial statements.

FINANCIAL REPORTING PROCESS

8.
Discuss the Trust's financial statements with representatives of the Trust's management.

9.
In connection with the financial statements contained in the Trust's periodic filings with the SEC, require the independent auditor and a representative of the Trust's financial management to inform the Audit Committee (either as a committee or through the Chair, representing the Audit Committee) about:

(a)
All critical accounting policies and practices, alternative accounting treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, including their ramifications, and the independent auditor's preferred treatment;

(b)
Significant new accounting practices and principles;

(c)
Significant management judgments and accounting estimates and their appropriateness;

(d)
Audit adjustments and unadjusted differences;

(e)
Disagreements with management;

(f)
Other information in documents containing the financial statements;

(g)
Material written communications between the independent auditor or its firm and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences; and

(h)
Other matters from time to time specified in Statement of Accounting Standards No. 61 (or any successor standard thereto).
10.
Consider and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees concerning major changes to the Trust's auditing and accounting principles and practices as suggested by the independent auditor or management.

11.
Discuss the general contents of earnings press releases (including the use of "pro forma" or "adjusted" information that does not conform to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies.

PROCESS IMPROVEMENT

12.
At least quarterly, meet, separately, with management, the internal auditing staff and the independent auditor. The Audit Committee shall also periodically review (a) major issues

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13.
Regularly review with the independent auditor:

(a)
Any problems or difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work, including any restrictions or changes on the scope of the activities or access to requested information, and the Trust's response;

(b)
Any significant disagreements with management;

(c)
Any material changes required by either management or the independent auditor in the planned scope of the outside or internal audit; and

(d)
The internal audit department responsibilities, budget and staffing.

14.
Periodically, meet with management to review the Trust's major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, and to discuss guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken.

15.
Periodically, meet with management, the independent auditor, the director of internal audit and such other persons as they may from time to time select. Such meetings shall include, as appropriate, a review of any legal, regulatory or compliance matters (including any material reports or inquiries received from regulators or governmental agencies) or accounting initiatives that could have a significant impact on the Trust's financial statements, including significant changes in accounting standards or rules as promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board or other regulatory authorities with relevant jurisdiction.

16.
Review any disclosure concerning the Audit Committee or its membership required to be included in the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or proxy statements under the rules of the SEC or NYSE.

APPROVAL OF AUDIT SERVICES

17.
Approve all audit and non-audit services prior to the appointment or engagement of the independent auditor to provide such services to the Trust, which approvals may be under policies and procedures set forth in advance by the Audit Committee.

18.
The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more members the authority to grant the approvals required by the preceding paragraph. The decisions of any member to whom authority is delegated to approve an activity under this paragraph shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

19.
Review the plan for and scope of the annual audit and any special audits.

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20.
Periodically review status reports on progress in accomplishing the plan for the annual audit and any special audits.

INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION

21.
Review and approve the annual internal audit plan including the scope and timing of each internal audit activity.

22.
Periodically meet with the director of internal audit to review the results of internal audits and the status of accomplishing the internal audit plan.

REPORTS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

23.
Prepare any reports required to be prepared by the Audit Committee under the rules of the SEC or the NYSE.

24.
The Audit Committee's policies and procedures for approvals of audit and non-audit services shall be disclosed in, or included with, the Trust's annual proxy statement and annual report filed with the SEC.

OTHER DUTIES

25.
Establish procedures for (a) the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Trust regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and (b) the confidential, anonymous submissions by employees of the Trust of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

26.
The Audit Committee hereby establishes a policy that the Trust may not hire employees or former employees of the independent auditor if their status as employees would cause the independent auditor to cease being independent under applicable SEC rules and regulations or the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

27.
Report regularly to the Board of Trustees. The Audit Committee shall discuss with the full Board of Trustees any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Trust's financial statements, the Trust's compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the Trust's independent auditor, or the performance of the internal audit function.

28.
Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board of Trustees for approval.

29.
Annually review the Audit Committee's own performance.

30.
Perform any other activities consistent with this Charter, the Trust's charter and Bylaws and governing law as the Audit Committee or the Board of Trustees deems necessary or appropriate.

V.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to prepare the Trust's financial statements, to plan or conduct audits of those financial statements, or to determine that those financial statements are complete and accurate

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and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This is the responsibility of the Trust's management and the independent auditor. Nor is it the duty of the Audit Committee to conduct investigations or to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Audit Committee is by this Charter delegated the powers of the Board of Trustees necessary to carry out its purposes, responsibilities and duties provided in this Charter or reasonably related to those purposes, responsibilities and duties.

The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees of one or more members when appropriate. Any subcommittee shall be subject to this Charter. The decisions of any subcommittees to which authority is delegated under this paragraph shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

This Charter amends in its entirety and replaces the charter of the Audit Committee as heretofore in effect.

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SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST
400 Centre Street, Newton, Massachusetts 02458
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The undersigned shareholder of Senior Housing Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust, or the Company, hereby appoints David J. Hegarty, Gerard M. Martin and Barry M. Portnoy, or any of them, as proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution in each of them, to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held at the Company's offices at 400 Centre Street, Newton, Massachusetts on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 9:00 a.m., and any adjournment or postponement thereof, to cast on behalf of the undersigned all the votes that the undersigned is entitled to cast at the meeting and otherwise to represent the undersigned at the meeting with all powers possessed by the undersigned if personally present at the meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the notice of the annual meeting of shareholders and of the accompanying Proxy Statement and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to the meeting.

THE VOTES ENTITLED TO BE CAST BY THE UNDERSIGNED WILL BE CAST AS INSTRUCTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE HEREOF. IF THIS PROXY IS EXECUTED, BUT NO INSTRUCTION IS GIVEN, THE VOTES ENTITLED TO BE CAST BY THE UNDERSIGNED WILL BE CAST "FOR" EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR TRUSTEE AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDER ON ANY OTHER MATTER THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF.

PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

NOTE: Please sign exactly as name(s) appear(s) hereon. Joint owners should both sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title.

HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED?   DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?


 


 


 
ý   PLEASE MARK
VOTES AS IN
THIS EXAMPLE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           

SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST
 
 
 
 
 
 
           

1.
 
Election
of Trustees
in Group II:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.
 
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote and otherwise represent the undersigned on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
 
 
    Nominees:   (01) John L. Harrington
(02) Gerard M. Martin		                        

 
 
 
 
FOR
BOTH
NOMINEES
 
o
 
o
 
WITHHOLD
AS TO
BOTH
FOR
BOTH
EXCEPT		   o 
            
        If you do NOT wish your shares voted "FOR" a particular nominee, write the name of that nominee on the line provided above. Your shares will be voted for the remaining nominee.            
                            Mark box at right if an address change or comment has been noted on the reverse side of this card.   o

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy.
 
 

Shareholder
or authorized
agent sign here:
 

 
Date:
 

 

Co-owner
or authorized
agent sign here:
 

 
Date:
 


QuickLinks

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 11, 2004
PROXY STATEMENT
NOMINEES FOR TERMS EXPIRING IN 2007
CONTINUING TRUSTEES
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
BOARD COMMITTEES AND COMMUNICATIONS
MEETINGS BY INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
SELECTION OF CANDIDATES FOR TRUSTEES; SHAREHOLDER RECOMMENDATIONS, NOMINATIONS AND PROPOSALS
OTHER INFORMATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
AUDITORS
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS
OTHER MATTERS
APPENDIX A SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
PROXY CARD