A $57.7 million profit on sale of properties in the third quarter helped Newton-based REIT HRPT Properties Trust more than triple its quarterly net income year-over-year.

HRP reported net income of $73.1 million for the third quarter, compared to $16.8 million for the same quarter last year, a 335 percent increase.

Year-to-date, net income was reported as $143.2 million, compared to $50.6 million for the same period last year. Net income for the nine months ended Sept. 30 includes a $97.6 million gain on sale of properties, the trust said.

HRP signed lease renewals for 559,000 square feet and new leases for 395,000 square feet during the third quarter, for weighted average rental rates that were 16 percent above prior rents for the same space.