EXHIBIT 23
              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDENPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration
Statements of United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc. and in the related Prospectuses
of our report dated January 25, 1996, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc. included in this
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1995.


  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT NUMBER                        DESCRIPTION
----------------                        -----------

 33-40433                         Form S-3, pertaining to the private placement
                                  of 900,000 shares of the Company's common
                                  stock in May, 1991.

 33-32930                         Form S-3, pertaining to the Company's Dividend
                                  Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.

 33-48000                         Form S-8, pertaining to the Company's Stock
                                  Purchase and Loan Plan.

 33-47926                         Form S-8, pertaining to the Company's Stock
                                  Option Plan.

 33-58201                         Form S-8, pertaining to the Employees' Stock
                                  Purchase Plan.

 33-55159                         Form S-3, Shelf Registration Statement,
                                  pertaining to $400 Million of Common Stock,
                                  Preferred Stock and Debentures.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Richmond, Virginia
March 27, 1996