SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A
                                 (Rule 13d-101)

             INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
             TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT
                                TO RULE 13d-2(a)
                               (Amendment No. 5)*

                         SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST
                                (Name of Issuer)

              COMMON SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST, $0.01 PAR VALUE
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   81721M 10 9
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                 John A. Mannix
                              HRPT Properties Trust
                                400 Centre Street
                                Newton, MA 02458
                                 (617) 332-3990
           (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
                      Receive Notices and Communications)

                                October 24, 2003
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)


If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box
/ /.

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five
copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7(b) for other
parties to whom copies are to be sent.

                         (Continued on following pages)

                               (Page 1 of 9 Pages)
                           -------------------------

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).


                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO. 81721M 10 9                                         Page 2 of 9 Pages


1           NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

            HRPT Properties Trust   I.R.S. ID No. 04-6558834


2           CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A
            GROUP*
                 (a)  / /

                 (b)  / /



3           SEC USE ONLY



4           SOURCE OF FUNDS*

            WC

5           CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
            TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)     / /



6           CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

            Maryland

                          7         SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF
SHARES                              12,809,238
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY                  8         SHARED VOTING POWER
 EACH
REPORTING
PERSON
 WITH                     9         SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                    12,809,238

                          10        SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

11          AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

            12,944,383

12          CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
            SHARES*                                                       / /



13          PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

            22.1%


14          TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

            OO


                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO. 81721M 10 9                                         Page 3 of 9 Pages


1           NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

            Reit Management & Research LLC  I.R.S. ID No. 04-3583787


2           CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
            (a)  / /
            (b)  / /


3           SEC USE ONLY


4           SOURCE OF FUNDS*

            OO

5           CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
            TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)     / /



6           CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

            Delaware


                          7         SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY              8         SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
 EACH
REPORTING                 9         SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON
 WITH
                          10        SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER


11          AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

            12,981,029


12          CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
            SHARES*                                                        / /



13          PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

            22.2%

14          TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

            OO

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO. 81721M 10 9                                         Page 4 of 9 Pages


1           NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
            I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

            Reit Management & Research Trust  I.R.S. ID No. 04-3402206


2           CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
            (a) / /
            (b) / /


3           SEC USE ONLY



4           SOURCE OF FUNDS*

            OO

5           CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
            TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)     / /



6           CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

            Massachusetts


                          7         SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY              8         SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY
 EACH
REPORTING                 9         SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON
 WITH
                          10        SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER


11          AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

            12,981,029


12          CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
            SHARES*                                                        / /




13          PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

            22.2%


14          TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

            OO


                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!



                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO. 81721M 10 9                                          Page 5 of 9 Pages



         This Amendment No. 5 to the original Schedule 13D filed September 29,
1999, by HRPT Properties Trust and Reit Management & Research, Inc. and the
original Schedule 13D filed October 23, 2001, by Reit Management & Research
Trust is being filed to reflect the registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of 12,809,238 Common Shares of
Beneficial Interest, par value $0.01, of Senior Housing Properties Trust owned
by HRPT Properties Trust and to update certain other information.

Item 1.  Security and Issuer.

         The class of equity securities to which this statement relates is the
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $0.01 (the "Shares"), of Senior
Housing Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust ("SNH"), with
its principal executive offices located at 400 Centre Street, Newton,
Massachusetts 02458.

Item 2.  Identity and Background.

         The persons filing this statement are HRPT Properties Trust, a Maryland
real estate investment trust ("HRP"), Reit Management & Research LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company ("RMR"), and Reit Management & Research Trust, a
Massachusetts business trust ("RMR Trust").

         HRP's principal business is to operate as a real estate investment
trust. The principal office of HRP is located at 400 Centre Street, Newton,
Massachusetts 02458. The trustees of HRP are Patrick F. Donelan, Tjarda Clagett,
Frederick N. Zeytoonjian, Barry M. Portnoy and Gerard M. Martin. The executive
officers of HRP are John A. Mannix, President and Chief Operating Officer, John
C. Popeo, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, Jennifer B. Clark,
Senior Vice President, and David M. Lepore, Senior Vice President.

         RMR's principal  business is providing advisory services to real estate
investment trusts such as SNH and others. The principal office of RMR is located
at 400 Centre  Street,  Newton,  Massachusetts  02458.  The directors of RMR are
David J. Hegarty,  Gerard M. Martin and Barry M. Portnoy. The executive officers
of RMR are David J. Hegarty,  President and Secretary, John G. Murray, Executive
Vice President,  William J. Sheehan,  Director of Internal Audit and Compliance,
Evrett W.  Benton,  Vice  President,  Jennifer  B.  Clark,  Vice  President  and
Assistant  Secretary,  David M. Lepore,  Vice  President,  John A. Mannix,  Vice
President,  Thomas M. O'Brien, Vice President, John C. Popeo, Vice President and
Treasurer, John R. Hoadley, Vice President, Bruce J. Mackey Jr., Vice President,
Mark L. Kleifges,  Vice  President,  Ethan S. Bornstein,  Vice  President,  Adam
Portnoy, Vice President, and William J. Sheehan,  Director of Internal Audit and
Compliance. The sole member and manager of RMR is RMR Trust.

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO. 81721M 10 9                                          Page 6 of 9 Pages


         RMR Trust's principal business is to act as the member and manager of
RMR. The principal office of RMR Trust is located at 400 Centre Street, Newton,
Massachusetts 02458. The trustees and executive officers of RMR Trust are the
same as the directors and executive officers of RMR. Each of Messrs. Martin and
Portnoy own 50% of the outstanding capital stock of RMR Trust.

         Each of the individuals  listed above (i) has a business address at 400
Centre Street,  Newton,  Massachusetts  02458, (ii) except for Mr. Donelan, is a
United  States  citizen  and (iii)  except  for  Messrs.  Donelan,  Clagett  and
Zeytoonjian,  is principally  employed by RMR in the capacities specified above.
Mr. Hegarty also serves as the President,  Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
of SNH, and Mr. Hoadley also serves as Treasurer and Chief Financial  Officer of
SNH.  The  principal  office of SNH is  located at 400  Centre  Street,  Newton,
Massachusetts  02458.  Mr.  Donelan is a British  citizen  and is  non-executive
Chairman of eSeclending  (Europe) Ltd. Mr. Clagett is principally  employed as a
private  investor.  Mr.  Zeytoonjian is Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer of
Turf Products Corporation and is also a trustee of SNH.

         Neither HRP, RMR, RMR Trust nor any of the individuals specified above
has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding
(excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors), or been party to any
civil proceeding which resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining
future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal
or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

Item 5.  Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

         (a) HRP continues to hold 12,809,238  Shares,  which represent 21.9% of
the issued and outstanding Shares.

         In addition, the trustees and executive officers of HRP own SNH Shares
as follows: Mr. Martin, through a corporation of which Mr. Martin is the sole
stockholder, 61,204 Shares; Mr. Portnoy, through a corporation of which Mr.
Portnoy is the sole stockholder, 61,204 Shares; and other trustees and executive
officers of HRP, 12,737 Shares in the aggregate. In addition, Messrs. Portnoy
and Martin, as Managing Trustees of HRP, may be deemed to have beneficial
ownership of the 12,809,238 Shares held by HRP; however, Messrs. Portnoy and
Martin disclaim beneficial ownership of HRP's 12,809,238 Shares. The Shares held
by HRP, when aggregated with such additional Shares held by the trustees and
executive officers of HRP, aggregate 12,944,383 Shares, which represent 22.1% of
the issued and outstanding Shares. The Shares held by Mr. Martin, Mr. Portnoy
and the other trustees and executive officers of HRP are reported herein
pursuant to the provisions of Items 2 and 5 of Schedule 13D. HRP, however,
expressly disclaims any beneficial ownership of the Shares held by Mr. Martin,
Mr. Portnoy and the other trustees and executive officers of HRP.

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO. 81721M 10 9                                          Page 7 of 9 Pages


         RMR, as HRP's investment manager, and RMR Trust, as the sole member and
manager of RMR, may under applicable regulatory definitions, be deemed to
beneficially own HRP's 12,809,238 Shares. RMR and RMR Trust, however, expressly
disclaim any beneficial ownership of HRP's 12,809,238 Shares.

            In addition, the trustees, directors and executive officers of RMR
and RMR Trust own SNH Shares as follows, in part as noted above: Mr. Martin,
through a corporation of which Mr. Martin is the sole stockholder, 61,204
Shares; Mr. Portnoy, through a corporation of which Mr. Portnoy is the sole
stockholder, 61,204 Shares; Mr. Hegarty, 14,670 Shares; and other executive
officers of RMR Trust, 34,713 Shares in the aggregate. The Shares held by HRP
(which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by RMR and RMR Trust), when
aggregated with such additional Shares held by the trustees and executive
officers of RMR Trust, aggregate 12,981,029 Shares, which represent 22.2% of the
issued and outstanding Shares. The Shares held by Mr. Martin, Mr. Portnoy, Mr.
Hegarty and the other executive officers of RMR and RMR Trust are reported
herein pursuant to the provisions of Items 2 and 5 of Schedule 13D. RMR and RMR
Trust, however, expressly disclaim any beneficial ownership of the Shares held
by Mr. Martin, Mr. Portnoy, Mr. Hegarty and the other executive officers of RMR
and RMR Trust.

         (b) HRP has sole power to vote or dispose of its 12,809,238 Shares. To
HRP's knowledge, each of the trustees, directors and executive officers of HRP,
RMR and RMR Trust described above has sole power to vote or dispose of the
Shares he or she beneficially owns.

         (c) No transactions in Shares have been effected during the past sixty
days by HRP, RMR, RMR Trust or the trustees, directors and executive officers of
HRP, RMR and RMR Trust described above.

         (d) No other person is known to have the right to receive or the power
to direct the receipt of distributions from, or the proceeds from the sale of
securities covered by this statement.

Item 6.  Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect
         to Securities of the Issuer.

         Although HRP has formed no definitive intent to sell the Shares or any
portion thereof, depending upon its continuing review of its investments and
various other facts, HRP may in the future desire, subject to any applicable
securities laws, to sell all or a portion of the Shares. SNH has registered the
offer and sale of the Shares under the Securities Act, pursuant to a
registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-109659). That registration statement
became effective on October 24, 2003. In connection with the registration
statement, HRP and SNH entered into a Registration Agreement (the "Registration
Agreement"). Under the Registration Agreement, SNH agreed to, among other
things, file the registration statement and use reasonable efforts to


                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP NO. 81721M 10 9                                          Page 8 of 9 Pages


effect the registration of the Shares and HRP, among other things, agreed to pay
all expenses incurred by SNH relating to the registration and any sale of the
Shares. SNH also agreed to indemnify HRP against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act and, alternately, to contribute to payments
that HRP may be required to make as a result of these liabilities.

Item 7.  Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

         The following documents are filed as exhibits to this statement:

         99.1.    Registration Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2003, by and
                  between SNH and HRP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
                  to SNH's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-109659)
                  filed October 14, 2003).

         99.2.    Joint Filing Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2001, by and
                  between HRP, RMR and RMR Trust (incorporated by reference to
                  the filing persons' Schedule 13D/A with respect to the
                  securities of SNH filed October 23, 2001).












                                    SIGNATURE

         After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.


November 12, 2003                   HRPT PROPERTIES TRUST


                                    By: /s/ John C. Popeo
                                        John C. Popeo
                                        Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer
                                         and Secretary


                                    REIT MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH LLC


                                    By: /s/ John C. Popeo
                                        John C. Popeo
                                        Vice President and Treasurer


                                    REIT MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH TRUST


                                    By: /s/ John C. Popeo
                                        John C. Popeo
                                        Vice President and Treasurer