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