NEW ENGLAND REALTY ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Commission file number 0-12138

New England Realty Associates Limited Partnership
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No ý

         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o    No ý

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý    No o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o    No o (the Registrant is not yet required to submit Interactive Data)

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendments to this Form 10-K. o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No ý

         At June 30, 2009, the aggregate market value of the registrant's securities held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $35,833,689 based on the closing price of the registrant's traded securities on the NYSE Amex.Exchange on such date. For this computation, the Registrant has excluded the market value of all Depositary Receipts reported as beneficially owned by executive officers and directors of the General Partner of the Registrant; such exclusion shall not be deemed to constitute an admission that any such person is an affiliate of the Registrant.

         As of March 3, 2010, there were 105,877 of the registrant's Class A units (1,058,772 Depositary Receipts) of limited partnership issued and outstanding and 25,146 Class B units issued and outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None.

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NEW ENGLAND REALTY ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

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NEW ENGLAND REALTY ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

General

        New England Realty Associates Limited Partnership ("NERA" or the "Partnership"), a Massachusetts Limited Partnership, was formed on August 12, 1977 as the successor to five real estate limited partnerships (collectively, the "Colonial Partnerships"), which filed for protection under Chapter XII of the Federal Bankruptcy Act in September 1974. The bankruptcy proceedings were terminated in late 1984. In July 2004, the General Partner extended the termination date of the Partnership until 2057, as allowed in the Partnership Agreement.

        The authorized capital of the Partnership is represented by three classes of partnership units ("Units"). There are two categories of limited partnership interests ("Class A Units" and "Class B Units") and one category of general partnership interests (the "General Partnership Units"). The Class A Units were initially issued to creditors and limited partners of the Colonial Partnerships and have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Each Class A Unit is exchangeable for ten publicly traded depositary receipts ("Receipts"), which are currently listed on the NYSE Amex Exchange and are registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. The Class B Units were issued to the original general partners of the Partnership. The General Partnership Units are held by the current general partner of the Partnership, NewReal, Inc. (the "General Partner"). The Class A Units represent an 80% ownership interest, the Class B Units represent a 19% ownership interest, and the General Partnership Units represent a 1% ownership interest.

        The Partnership is engaged in the business of acquiring, developing, holding for investment, operating and selling real estate. The Partnership, directly or through 24 subsidiary limited partnerships or limited liability companies, owns and operates various residential apartment buildings, condominium units and commercial properties located in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. As used herein, the Partnership's subsidiary limited partnerships and limited liabilities companies are each referred to as a "Subsidiary Partnership" and are collectively referred to as the "Subsidiary Partnerships."

        The Partnership owns between a 99.67% and 100% interest in each of the Subsidiary Partnerships, except in nine limited liability companies (the "Investment Properties" or "Joint Ventures") in which the Partnership has between a 40% and 50% ownership interest. The majority shareholder of the General Partner indirectly owns between 43.2% and 60%, the President of Hamilton owns between 0% and 4.5%, and five other management employees of Hamilton own collectively between 0% and 2.3%, respectively. The Partnership's interest in the Investment Properties is accounted for on the equity method in the Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—"Principles of Consolidation." See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—"Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures" for a description of the properties and their operations. Of those Subsidiary Partnerships not wholly owned by the Partnership, except for the Investment Properties, the remaining ownership interest is held by an unaffiliated third party. In each such case, the third party has entered into a lease agreement with the Partnership, pursuant to which any benefit derived from its ownership interest in the applicable Subsidiary Partnerships will be returned to the Partnership.

        The long-term goals of the Partnership are to manage, rent and improve its properties and to acquire additional properties with income and capital appreciation potential as suitable opportunities arise. When appropriate, the Partnership may sell or refinance selected properties. Proceeds from any such sales or refinancing will be reinvested in acquisitions of other properties, distributed to the

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partners, repurchase equity interests, or used for operating expenses or reserves, as determined by the General Partner.

Operations of the Partnership

        The Partnership is managed by the General Partner, NewReal, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation wholly owned by Harold Brown and Ronald Brown. The General Partner has engaged The Hamilton Company, Inc. (the "Hamilton Company" or "Hamilton") to perform general management functions for the Partnership's properties in exchange for management fees. The Hamilton Company is wholly owned by Harold Brown and employs Ronald Brown and Harold Brown. The Partnership, Subsidiary Partnerships, and the Investment Properties currently contract with the management company for 53 individuals at the Properties and 13 individuals at the Joint Ventures who are primarily involved in the supervision and maintenance of specific properties. The General Partner has no employees.

        As of January 25, 2010, the Partnership and its Subsidiary Partnerships owned 2,269 residential apartment units in 20 residential and mixed-use complexes (collectively, the "Apartment Complexes"). The Partnership also owns 19 condominium units in a residential condominium complex, all of which are leased to residential tenants (collectively referred to as the "Condominium Units"). The Apartment Complexes, the Condominium Units and the Investment Properties are located primarily in the metropolitan Boston area of Massachusetts.

        Additionally, as of January 25, 2010, the Subsidiary Partnerships owned a commercial shopping center in Framingham, Massachusetts, one commercial building in Newton and one in Brookline, Massachusetts and commercial space in mixed-use buildings in Boston, Brockton and Newton, Massachusetts. These properties are referred to collectively as the "Commercial Properties." See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included as a part of this Form 10-K.

        Additionally, as of January 25, 2010, the Partnership owned between a 40- 50% interest in nine residential and mixed use complexes, the Investment Properties, with a total of 799 residential units, one commercial unit, and a parking lot. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these investments.

        The Apartment Complexes, Investment Properties, Condominium Units and Commercial Properties are referred to collectively as the "Properties."

        Harold Brown and, in certain cases, Ronald Brown, and officers and employees of the Hamilton Company own or have owned interests in certain of the Properties, Subsidiary Partnerships and Joint Ventures. See "Item 13. Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence."

        The leasing of real estate in the metropolitan Boston area of Massachusetts is highly competitive. The Apartment Complexes, Condominium Units and the Investment Properties must compete for tenants with other residential apartments and condominium units in the areas in which they are located. The Commercial Properties must compete for commercial tenants with other shopping malls and office buildings in the areas in which they are located. Thus, the level of competition at each Property depends on how many other similarly situated properties are in its vicinity. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Factors that May Affect Future Results."

        The Second Amended and Restated Contract of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (the "Partnership Agreement") authorizes the General Partner to acquire real estate and real estate related investments from or in participation with either or both of Harold Brown and Ronald Brown, or their affiliates, upon the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions, including the approval of the Partnership's Advisory Committee and limitations on the price paid by the Partnership for such investments. The Partnership Agreement also permits the Partnership's limited partners and the General Partner to make loans to the Partnership, subject to certain limitations on the rate of interest

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that may be charged to the Partnership. Except for the foregoing, the Partnership does not have any policies prohibiting any limited partner, General Partner or any other person from having any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by the Partnership or in any transaction to which the Partnership is a party or has an interest in or from engaging, for their own account, in business activities of the types conducted or to be conducted by the Partnership. The General Partner is not limited in the number or amount of mortgages which may be placed on any Property, nor is there a policy limiting the percentage of Partnership assets which may be invested in any specific Property.

Industry Segments

        The Partnership operates in only one industry segment—real estate. The Partnership does not have any foreign operations, and its business is not seasonal. See the Consolidated Financial Statements attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein for financial information relating to our industry segment.

Unit Distributions

        In 2009 and 2008, the Partnership paid four quarterly distributions of an aggregate of $28.00 per Unit ($2.80 per Receipt) for a total payment of $3,713,840 in 2009 and $3,917,907 in 2008. In February 2010, the Partnership approved a quarterly distribution of $7.00 per Unit ($0.70 per Receipt), payable on March 31, 2010.

        On August 20, 2007, NewReal, Inc., the General Partner authorized an equity repurchase program ("Repurchase Program") under which the Partnership was permitted to purchase, over a period of twelve months, up to 100,000 Depositary Receipts (each of which is one-tenth of a Class A Unit). On January 15, 2008, the General Partner authorized an increase in the Repurchase Program from 100,000 to 200,000 Depositary Receipts. On January 30, 2008 the General Partner authorized an increase the Repurchase Program from 200,000 to 300,000 Depositary Receipts. On March 10, 2008, the General Partner authorized the increase in the total number of Depositary Receipts that could be repurchased pursuant to the Repurchase Program from 300,000 to 500,000. On August 8, 2008, the General Partner re-authorized and renewed the Repurchase Program for an additional 12-month period ending August 19, 2009. The Repurchase Program expired on August 19, 2009 and no repurchases have been made since that date. In addition, the General Partner also authorized the expansion of the Repurchase Program to require the Partnership to repurchase a proportionate number of Class B Units and General Partner Units in connection with any repurchases of any Depositary Receipts by the Partnership based upon the 80%, 19% and 1% fixed distribution percentages of the holders of the Class A, Class B and General Partner Units under the Partnership's Second Amended and Restate Contract of Limited Partnership. Repurchases of Depositary Receipts or Partnership Units pursuant to the Repurchase Program may be made by the Partnership from time to time in its sole discretion in open market transactions at prevailing prices or in privately negotiated transactions. As of March 3, 2010, the Partnership has repurchased 391,424 Depositary Receipts at an average price of $74.05 per receipt (or $740.50 per underlying Class A Unit), 1,560 Class B Units at an average price of $580.71 per Unit, and 82 General Partner Units at an average price of $580.71 per Unit, totaling approximately $29,941,000 including brokerage fees paid by the Partnership.

        On September 17, 2008, the Partnership completed the issuance of an aggregate of 6,642 Class A Units held in treasury to current holders of Class B and General Partner Units upon the simultaneous retirement to treasury of 6,309 Class B Units and 333 General Partner Units pursuant to an equity distribution plan authorized by the Board of Directors of the General Partner and the Partnership's Advisory Committee and as further described under Item 3.02 of the Partnership's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference. Harold Brown, the treasurer of the General Partner, owns 75% of

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the issued and outstanding Class B Units of the Partnership and 75% of the issued and outstanding equity of the General Partner, Ronald Brown, the brother of Harold Brown and the president of the General Partner, owns 25% of the issued and outstanding Class B Units of the Partnership and 25% of the issued and outstanding equity of the General Partner.

        As of December 31, 2009, the cumulative repurchase of approximately $29,941,000 of Depositary Receipts and Partnership Units described above, resulted in the Partnership having a negative Partners' Capital of approximately $21,333,000.

Property Transactions

        On January 3, 2008, the Partnership sold the Oak Ridge Apartments, a 61-unit residential apartment complex located in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The sale price was $7,150,000, which resulted in a gain of approximately $6,000,000. In November 2007, the Partnership purchased a fully occupied commercial building located in Newton, Massachusetts, known as Linewt LLC. The purchase price was $3,475,000 and the building consists of 5,850 square feet of commercial space. The Partnership utilized Section 1031 of the IRS code to affect a tax free exchange on the gain of Oak Ridge up to the purchase price of the Newton property. Most of the taxable gain of approximately $3,000,000 will be taxed at the capital gain rates. In accordance with Section 1031, the Newton property was owned by a Qualified Intermediary for the period from the purchase date of the Newton property and the sale date of the Foxboro property. The Qualified Intermediary borrowed approximately $3,225,000 from Harold Brown, Treasurer of the General Partner, to purchase the Newton property. This loan was paid in full, with interest at 6% of $34,401, from the proceeds of the Oak Ridge sale on January 3, 2008. On January 22, 2008, the Partnership financed the Newton property with a first mortgage of $1,700,000 at 5.75% interest only until maturity in January 2018.

        In February 2008, the Partnership refinanced ten properties with outstanding 8.44% mortgages of approximately $37,800,000 with new mortgages totaling $60,000,000. The new mortgages which mature in February 2023 require interest only payments at interest rates from 5.6% to 5.7%. Deferred costs associated with these mortgages totaled approximately $710,000 and, accordingly, the effective interest rates are 5.7% to 5.8%. Prepayment penalties of approximately $3,700,000 were incurred in these transactions. After payment of existing mortgages, prepayment penalties and other costs of the transactions, approximately $16,000,000 was received by the Partnership

        In April 2008, the Partnership sold the Coach Apartments, a 48-unit residential apartment complex located in Acton, Massachusetts. The sale price was $4,600,000, which resulted in a gain of approximately $3,800,000. In October 2008, the Partnership purchased a fully occupied medical office building located in Brookline, Massachusetts, referred to as "the Barn." The purchase price of the Barn was $7,000,000 and it consists 20,000 square feet of commercial space. The Partnership utilized Section 1031 of the IRS code to affect a tax free exchange on the gain of Coach up to the purchase price of the Barn. This acquisition was funded from the assumption of the existing mortgage of approximately $4,000,000, the cash from the sale of Coach of approximately $2,600,000, and the balance of $400,000 was funded from cash reserves.

        In April 2008, the Partnership refinanced the property located at 659 Worcester Road with a mortgage balance of approximately $3,500,000 at 7.84% with a new $6,000,000 mortgage at 5.97% interest only mortgage which matures in March 2018. Deferred financing costs associated with this mortgage totaled approximately $86,000 and accordingly the effective interest rate is 6.1%. Prepayment penalties of approximately $783,000 were incurred in this transaction. After payment of the existing mortgage and prepayment penalties, approximately $1,700,000 was received by the Partnership.

        In June 2008, the Partnership refinanced the Westside Colonial Apartments with a balance of approximately $4,600,000 maturing in 2008 with interest at a rate of 6.52% with $7,000,000 at 5.66% interest only mortgage maturing in June 2023. Deferred financing costs associated with this mortgage

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totaled approximately $62,000 and accordingly the effective interest rate is 5.8%. Closing costs were approximately $100,000. There were no prepayment penalties. After payment of the existing mortgage and closing costs, approximately $2,377,000 was received by the Partnership.

        In December 2009, the Partnership refinanced Linhart, LLP, located in Newton, Massachusetts. The new loan is $2,000,000, with a rate of 3.75% over the Libor rate or 4.25% whichever is greater and matures five years from the date of closing. The interest rate as of December 31, 2009 was 4.25%. The loan agreement calls for interest only payments for twenty four months and principal and interest payments for the remainder of the five year period based on a thirty year amortization. The loan proceeds were used to pay off the prior loan of approximately $1,700,000, and closing costs of approximately $38,000. There were no prepayment penalties.

        During 2009, the Partnership and its Subsidiary Partnerships completed improvements to certain of the Properties at a total cost of approximately $3,136,000. These improvements were funded from cash reserves and, to some extent, escrow accounts established in connection with the financing or refinancing of the applicable Properties. These sources have been adequate to fully fund improvements. The most significant improvements were made at Westgate Woburn, Westside Colonial, Hamilton Oaks, Redwood Hills, 1137 Commonwealth Ave, Brookside, and Dean Street, at a cost of approximately $417,000, $294,000, $283,000, $238,000, $235,000, $194,000, and $167,000 respectively. The Partnership plans to invest approximately $2,200,000 in capital improvements in 2010.

        On March 1, 2010, the Partnership received a commitment to refinance the $1,900,000 mortgage on Brookside Apartments. The new loan will be $2,820,000, maturing in 2019 with an interest rate of 5.81%. The loan calls for interest only payments for the first two years, and will be amortized over 30 years for the remainder of the term. There will be no prepayment penalties.

Advisory Committee

        On October 29, 2007, Gregory Dube, Robert Nahigian, and Thomas Raffoul were elected to the Advisory Committee. These Advisory Committee members are not affiliated with the General Partner. The Advisory Committee meets with the General Partner to review the progress of the Partnership, assist the General Partner with policy formation, review the appropriateness, timing and amount of proposed distributions, approve or reject proposed acquisitions and investments with affiliates, and advise the General Partner on various other Partnership affairs. Per the Partnership Agreement, the Advisory Committee has no binding power except that it must approve certain investments and acquisitions or sales by the Partnership from or with affiliates of the Partnership.

Available Information

        The Partnership's website is www.thehamiltoncompany.com. On its website, the Partnership makes available, free of charge, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forms are made available as soon as reasonably practical after the Partnership electronically files or furnishes such materials to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Partnership's website includes other items related to corporate governance matters, including, among other things, the Partnership's corporate governance guidelines, charters of various committees of the Board of Directors, and the Partnership's code of business conduct and ethics applicable to all employees, officers and directors. Copies of these documents may be obtained, free of charge, from the website. Any shareholder may obtain copies of these documents, free of charge, by sending a request in writing to: Director of Investor Relations, New England Realty Associates Limited Partnership, 39 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA 02134.

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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

        We are subject to certain risks and uncertainties as described below. These risks and uncertainties may not be the only ones we face; there may be additional risks that we do not presently know of or that we currently consider immaterial. All of these risks could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our ability to pay distributions on, and the market price of, our equity securities may be adversely affected if any of such risks are realized. All investors should consider the following risk factors before deciding to purchase or sell securities of the Partnership.

        We are subject to risks inherent in the ownership of real estate.    We own and manage multifamily apartment complexes and commercial properties that are subject to varying degrees of risk generally incident to the ownership of real estate. Our financial condition, the value of our properties and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders will be dependent upon our ability to operate our properties in a manner sufficient to generate income in excess of operating expenses and debt service charges, which may be affected by the following risks, some of which are discussed in more detail below:

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changes in the economic climate in the markets in which we own and manage properties, including interest rates, the overall level of economic activity, the availability of consumer credit and mortgage financing, unemployment rates and other factors;



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a lessening of demand for the multifamily units that we own;



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competition from other available multifamily units and changes in market rental rates;



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increases in property and liability insurance costs;



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changes in real estate taxes and other operating expenses (e.g., cleaning, utilities, repair and maintenance costs, insurance and administrative costs, security, landscaping, pest control, staffing and other general costs);



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changes in laws and regulations affecting properties (including tax, environmental, zoning and building codes, and housing laws and regulations);



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weather and other conditions that might adversely affect operating expenses;



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expenditures that cannot be anticipated, such as utility rate and usage increases, unanticipated repairs and real estate tax valuation reassessments or mileage rate increases;



•

our inability to control operating expenses or achieve increases in revenues;



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the results of litigation filed or to be filed against us;



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risks related to our joint ventures;



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risks of personal injury claims and property damage related to mold claims because of diminished insurance coverage;



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catastrophic property damage losses that are not covered by our insurance;



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risks associated with property acquisitions such as environmental liabilities, among others;



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changes in market conditions that may limit or prevent us from acquiring or selling properties;



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the perception of residents and prospective residents as to the attractiveness, convenience and safety of our properties or the neighborhoods in which they are located; and



•

the Partnership does not carry directors and officers insurance.

        We are dependent on rental income from our multifamily apartment complexes and commercial properties.    If we are unable to attract and retain residents or if our residents are unable to pay their

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rental obligations, our financial condition and funds available for distribution to our shareholders will be adversely affected.

        Our multifamily apartment complexes and commercial properties are subject to competition.    Our properties and joint venture investments are located in developed areas that include other properties. The properties also compete with other rental alternatives, such as condominiums, single and multifamily rental homes and owner occupied single and multifamily homes, in attracting residents. This competition may affect our ability to attract and retain residents and to increase or maintain rental rates.

        The properties we own are concentrated in Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.    Our performance, therefore, is linked to economic conditions and the market for available rental housing in these states. A decline in the market for apartment housing and/or commercial properties may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and ability to make distributions to our shareholders.

        Our insurance may not be adequate to cover certain risks.    There are certain types of risks, generally of a catastrophic nature, such as earthquakes, floods, windstorms, act of war and terrorist attacks that may be uninsurable, or are not economically insurable, or are not fully covered by insurance. Moreover, certain risks, such as mold and environmental exposures, generally are not covered by our insurance. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, we could lose our equity in the affected property as well as the anticipated future cash flow from that property. Any such loss could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        Debt financing could adversely affect our performance.    The vast majority of our assets are encumbered by project specific, non-recourse, non-cross-collateralized mortgage debt. There is a risk that these properties will not have sufficient cash flow from operations for payments of required principal and interest. We may not be able to refinance these loans at an amount equal to the loan balance and the terms of any refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of existing indebtedness. If we are unable to make required payments on indebtedness that is secured by a mortgage, the Partnership will either invest additional money in the property or the property securing the mortgage may be foreclosed with a consequent loss of income and value to us.

        Real estate investments are generally illiquid, and we may not be able to sell our properties when it is economically or strategically advantageous to do so.    Real estate investments generally cannot be sold quickly, and our ability to sell properties may be affected by market conditions. We may not be able to diversify or vary our portfolio promptly in accordance with our strategies or in response to economic or other conditions.

        Our access to public debt markets is limited.    Substantially all of our debt financings are secured by mortgages on our properties because of our limited access to public debt markets.

        Litigation may result in unfavorable outcomes.    Like many real estate operators, we may be involved in lawsuits involving premises liability claims, housing discrimination claims and alleged violations of landlord-tenant laws, which may give rise to class action litigation or governmental investigations. Any material litigation not covered by insurance, such as a class action, could result in substantial costs being incurred. The Partnership does not carry directors and officers liability insurance.

        Our financial results may be adversely impacted if we are unable to sell properties and employ the proceeds in accordance with our strategic plan.    Our ability to pay down debt, reduce our interest costs, repurchase Depositary Receipts and acquire properties is dependent upon our ability to sell the properties we have selected for disposition at the prices and within the deadlines we have established for each respective property.

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        The costs of complying with laws and regulations could adversely affect our cash flow and ability to make distributions to our shareholders.    Our properties must comply with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the "ADA") to the extent that they are "public accommodations" or "commercial facilities" as defined in the ADA. The ADA does not consider apartment complexes to be public accommodations or commercial facilities, except for portions of such properties that are open to the public. In addition, the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (the "FHAA") requires apartment complexes first occupied after March 13, 1990, to be accessible to the handicapped. Other laws also require apartment communities to be handicap accessible. Noncompliance with these laws could result in the imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants. We may be subject to lawsuits alleging violations of handicap design laws in connection with certain of our developments. If compliance with these laws involves substantial expenditures or must be made on an accelerated basis, our ability to make distributions to our shareholders could be adversely affected.

        Under various federal, state and local laws, an owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances on, under or in the property. This liability may be imposed without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of the substances. Other law imposes on owners and operators certain requirements regarding conditions and activities that may affect human health or the environment. Failure to comply with applicable requirements could complicate our ability to lease or sell an affected property and could subject us to monetary penalties, costs required to achieve compliance and potential liability to third parties. We are not aware of any material noncompliance, liability or claim relating to hazardous or toxic substances or other environmental matters in connection with any of our properties. Nonetheless, it is possible that material environmental contamination or conditions exist, or could arise in the future, in the apartment communities or on the land upon which they are located.

        We are subject to the risks associated with investments through joint ventures.    Nine of our properties are owned by joint ventures in which we do not have a controlling interest. We may enter into joint ventures, including joint ventures that we do not control, in the future. Any joint venture investment involves risks such as the possibility that the co-venturer may seek relief under federal or state insolvency laws, or have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business interests or goals. While the bankruptcy or insolvency of our co-venturer generally should not disrupt the operations of the joint venture, we could be forced to purchase the co-venturer's interest in the joint venture or the interest could be sold to a third party. We also may guarantee the indebtedness of our joint ventures. If we do not have control over a joint venture, the value of our investment may be affected adversely by a third party that may have different goals and capabilities than ours.

        We are subject to risks associated with development, acquisition and expansion of multifamily apartment complexes.    Development projects and acquisitions and expansions of apartment complexes are subject to a number of risks, including:

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availability of acceptable financing;



•

competition with other entities for investment opportunities;



•

failure by our properties to achieve anticipated operating results;



•

construction costs of a property exceeding original estimates;



•

delays in construction; and



•

expenditure of funds on, and the devotion of management time to, transactions that may not come to fruition.

        We are subject to control by our directors and officers.    The directors and executive officers of the General Partner and members of their families owned approximately 38% of our depositary receipts as

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of December 31, 2009. Additionally, management decisions rest with our General Partner without limited partner approval.

        Competition for skilled personnel could increase our labor costs.    We and our management company compete with various other companies in attracting and retaining qualified and skilled personnel who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of our properties. Competitive pressures may require that we enhance our pay and benefits package to compete effectively for such personnel. We may not be able to offset such added costs by increasing the rates we charge our tenants. If there is an increase in these costs or if we fail to attract and retain qualified and skilled personnel, our business and operating results could be harmed.

        We depend on our key personnel.    Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contribution of key members of the management company, who may be difficult to replace. The loss of services of these executives could have a material adverse effect on us. There can be no assurance that the services of such personnel will continue to be available to us. We do not hold key-man life insurance on any of our key personnel.

        Changes in market conditions could adversely affect the market price of our Depositary Receipts.    As with other publicly traded equity securities, the value of our Depositary Receipts depends on various market conditions, which may change from time to time. Among the market conditions that may affect the value of our Depositary Receipts are the following:

•

the extent of investor interest in us;



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the general reputation of real estate companies and the attractiveness of our equity securities in comparison to other equity securities, including securities issued by other real estate companies;



•

our financial performance; and



•

general stock and bond market conditions.

        The market value of our Depositary Receipts is based primarily upon the market's perception of our growth potential and our current and potential future earnings and cash distributions. Consequently, our Depositary Receipts may trade at prices that are higher or lower than our net asset value per depositary receipt.

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ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

        None.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

        The Partnership and its Subsidiary Partnerships own the Apartment Complexes, the Condominium Units, the Commercial Properties and a 40-50% interest in nine Investment Properties.

        See also "Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence" for information concerning affiliated transactions.

Apartment Complexes

        The table below lists the location of the 2,269 Apartment Units, the number and type of units in each complex, the range of rents and vacancies as of January 25, 2010, the principal amount outstanding under any mortgages as of December 31, 2009, the fixed interest rates applicable to such mortgages, and the maturity dates of such mortgages.

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        See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included as part of this Form 10-K, for information relating to the mortgages payable of the Partnership and its Subsidiary Partnerships.

Condominium Units

        The Partnership owns and leases to residential tenants 19 Condominium Units in the metropolitan Boston area of Massachusetts.

        The table below lists the location of the 19 Condominium Units, the type of units, the range of rents received by the Partnership for such units, and the number of vacancies as of January 25, 2010.

Commercial Properties

        BOYLSTON DOWNTOWN LP.    In 1995, this Subsidiary Partnership acquired the Boylston Downtown property in Boston, Massachusetts ("Boylston"). This mixed-use property includes 17,218 square feet of rentable commercial space. As of January 25, 2010, the commercial space had a 0% vacancy rate, and the average gross rent per square foot was $21.92. The Partnership also rents roof space for a cellular phone antenna at an average rent of approximately $25,000 per year through June 30, 2011. For mortgage balance, interest rate and maturity date information see "Apartment Complexes," above.

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        HAMILTON OAKS ASSOCIATES, LLC.    The Hamilton Oaks Apartment complex, acquired by the Partnership in December 1999 through Hamilton Oaks Associates, LLC, includes 6,075 square feet of rentable commercial space, occupied by a daycare center. As of January 25, 2010, the commercial space was fully occupied, and the average rent per square foot was $11.50. The Partnership also rents roof space for a cellular phone antenna at an average rent of approximately $32,709 per year through November 2010. For mortgage balance, interest rate and maturity date information see "Apartment Complexes," above.

        LINHART LP.    In 1995, the Partnership acquired the Linhart property in Newton, Massachusetts ("Linhart"). This mixed-use property includes 21,555 square feet of rentable commercial space. As of January 25, 2010, the commercial space had a 10.4% vacancy rate, and the average gross rent per square foot was $23.32. For mortgage balance, interest rate and maturity date information see "Apartment Complexes," above.

        NORTH BEACON 140 LP.    In 1995, this Subsidiary Partnership acquired the North Beacon property in Boston, Massachusetts ("North Beacon"). This mixed-use property includes 1,050 square feet of rentable commercial space. The property was fully rented as of January 25, 2010, and the average rent per square foot as of that date was $29.32. For mortgage balance, interest rate and maturity date information see "Apartment Complexes," above.

        STAPLES PLAZA.    In 1999, the Partnership acquired the Staples Plaza shopping center in Framingham, Massachusetts ("Staples Plaza"). The shopping center consists of 39,600 square feet of rentable commercial space. As of December 31, 2009, the mortgage had an outstanding balance of $3,493,725 with interest rate of 8.0%. The refinance of this property was closed in March 2008. The mortgage is $6,000,000 with interest rate of 5.97%, matures in 2018. As of January 25, 2010, Staples Plaza was fully occupied, and the average net rent per square foot was $23.83.

        HAMILTON LINEWT ASSOCIATES, LLC.    In 2007, the Partnership acquired a retail block in Newton, Massachusetts. The property consists of approximately 6,000 square feet of rentable commercial space. The property was fully rented at an average rent of $37.92 per square foot. The Partnership obtained a mortgage in January 2008 of $1,700,000 on this property. The mortgage balance at December 31, 2009 is $1,638,861; the interest rate is 5.75%, and matures in January 2018.

        HAMILTON CYPRESS LLC.    In 2008, the Partnership acquired a medical office building in Brookline, Massachusetts. The property consists of approximately 20,000 square feet of rentable commercial space. The property was fully rented at an average rent of $36.94 per square foot. The Partnership assumed a mortgage of approximately $4,011,000. The mortgage balance at December 31, 2009 is $3,923,928; the interest rate is 5.92% and matures in May 2013.

Investment Properties

        See Note 14 to the Financial Statements and Exhibit 99.1 for additional information regarding the Investment Properties.

        The Partnership has a 50% ownership interest in the properties summarized below:

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        345 FRANKLIN, LLC. In November 2001, the Partnership acquired, through this LLC, a 50% interest in a 40-unit apartment building in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This property has a 12-year mortgage, which is amortized on a 30-year schedule, with a final payment of approximately $6,000,000 due in 2014.

        HAMILTON ON MAIN, LLC. In August 2004, the Partnership acquired for approximately $8,000,000 a 50% interest in a six building 280-unit apartment complex in Watertown, Massachusetts for $56,000,000. A $43,000,000 mortgage was obtained on the buildings. This acquisition was subsequently split into two parcels of three buildings selling 137 apartments in three buildings as condominiums and retaining 146 units, after additional modifications were made, in three buildings. At December 31, 2009, all 137 of the units were sold.

        In February 2005, Hamilton on Main obtained a new ten year mortgage on the three buildings to be retained for $16,825,000 interest only at 5.18% for three years and amortizing on a 30-year schedule for the remaining seven years when the balance is due. The net proceeds after funding escrow accounts and closing costs on the new mortgage were approximately $16,700,000, which was used to reduce the existing mortgage.

        HAMILTON MINUTEMAN, LLC. In August 2004, the Partnership acquired, through this LLC, a 50% interest in a 42-unit apartment building in Lexington, Massachusetts for approximately $10,000,000. Each investor invested approximately $5,075,000 to initially fund the purchase price of the property. In October 2004, the Partnership obtained a three year mortgage on the property in the amount of $8,025,000 and returned $3,775,000 to the Partnership. In January 2007, the original mortgage was refinanced for $5,500,000. This refinancing required a capital contribution by the Partnership of $1,250,000. The new mortgage, which matures in 2017, has an interest rate of 5.67% interest only for five years with a 30-year amortization thereafter.

        HAMILTON ESSEX 81, LLC. On March 7, 2005, the Partnership invested $2,000,000 for a 50% ownership interest in a building comprising 49 apartments, one commercial space and a 50-car surface parking lot located in Boston, Massachusetts. The purchase price was $14,300,000, with a $10,750,000 mortgage. The Partnership plans to operate the building and initiate development of the parking lot. In June 2007, the Partnership separated the parcels, formed an additional limited liability company for the residential apartments and obtained a mortgage on the property. The new limited liability company formed for the residential apartments and commercial space was referred to as Hamilton Essex 81 Apartments, LLC. In August 2008, the Partnership restructured the mortgages on both parcels at Essex 81 and transferred the residential apartments and commercial space to Hamilton Essex 81, LLC. The mortgage on Hamilton Essex 81, LLC is $8,600,000 with interest only at 5.79% due in August 2015. The mortgage on Hamilton Essex Development, LLC is $2,162,000 with a variable interest rate of 2.25% over the daily Libor rate (0.23% at December 31, 2009) and is due in August 2011. The investment in the parking lot is referred to as Hamilton Essex Development, LLC; the investment in the apartments and commercial space is referred to as Hamilton Essex 81, LLC.

        HAMILTON 1025, LLC. On March 2, 2005, the Partnership invested $2,352,000 for a 50% ownership interest in a 176-unit apartment complex with an additional small commercial building located in Quincy, Massachusetts. The purchase price was $23,750,000. The Partnership sold the majority of units as condominiums and retained 49 units for long-term investment. The Partnership obtained a new 10-year mortgage in the amount of $5,000,000 on the units to be retained by the Partnership. The interest on the new loan is 5.67% fixed for the 10 year term with interest only payments for five years and amortized over a 30-year period for the balance of the loan term. As of January 25, 2010, all of the 127 units have been sold. This investment is referred to as Hamilton 1025, LLC.

        HAMILTON BAY, LLC. On October 3, 2005, the Partnership invested $2,500,000 for a 50% ownership interest in a 168-unit apartment complex in Quincy, Massachusetts. The purchase price was

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$30,875,000 and a $26,165,127 30-month mortgage with a floating interest rate of 2% over the 30 day Libor Index (0.23% at December 31, 2009) was obtained to finance this acquisition. The Partnership plans to sell the majority of units as condominium and retain 48 units for long-term investment. The proceeds from the condominium sales will primarily be used to reduce the above-mentioned mortgage. As of December 31, 2009, the mortgage balance on this property was $1,668,000. As of January 25, 2010, 105 units have been sold. In February 2007, the Partnership refinanced the units to be retained for $4,750,000. The interest rate is 5.57%, interest only for five years with a 30-year amortization thereafter until maturity in 2017. These 48 units are referred to as Hamilton Bay Apartments, LLC.

        HAMILTON PARK TOWERS, LLC On October 28, 2009 the Partnership invested approximately $15,925,000 in a joint venture to acquire a 40% interest in a residential property located in Brookline, Massachusetts. The property, referred to as Dexter Park, is a 409 unit residential complex. The purchase price was $129,500,000. The total mortgage is approximately $89,914,000, with an interest rate of 5.57% and it matures in 2019. The mortgage calls for interest only payments for the first two years of the loan and amortized over 30-years thereafter. In order to fund this investment, the Partnership used approximately $8,757,000 of its cash reserves and borrowed approximately $7,168,000 with an interest rate of 6% from HBC Holdings, LLC, an entity owned by Harold Brown and his affiliates. The term of the loan is four years with a provision requiring payment upon six months notice. The Partnership has pledged its 99% ownership in 62 Boylston Street as security for this note. This investment is referred to as Dexter Park. See Form 8-K filed on January 13, 2010 for more information regarding this acquisition.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        The Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships, and the Investment Properties and their properties are not presently subject to any material litigation, and, to management's knowledge, there is not any material litigation presently threatened against them. The properties are occasionally subject to ordinary routine legal and administrative proceedings incident to the ownership of residential and commercial real estate. Some of the legal and other expenses related to these proceedings are covered by insurance and none of these costs and expenses are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Partnership.

ITEM 4.    (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

        Each Class A Unit is exchangeable, through Computershare Trust Company ("Computershare") (formerly Equiserve LP), the Partnership's Depositary Agent, for ten Depositary Receipts ("Receipts"). The Receipts are listed and publicly traded on the NYSE Amex Exchange under the symbol "NEN." There has never been an established trading market for the Class B Units or General Partnership Units.

        In 2009, the high and low bid quotations for the Receipts were $45.00 and $60.50 respectively. The table below sets forth the high and low bids for each quarter of 2009 and 2008 and the distributions paid on the Partnership's Depositary Receipts:

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