Exhibit 23


                        Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Current Report on Form 8-K
to be filed on or about January 21, 1997, of United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc.
of our report dated January 30, 1996, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of South West Property Trust Inc. included in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1995, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

We also 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 30, 1996, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of South West Property Trust Inc. for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1995, incorporated by reference in this
Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed on or about January 21, 1997.

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

        33-47296                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.

        33-64275                Form S-3, Shelf Registration Statement
                                pertaining to the registration of $462.3 million
                                of Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Debt
                                Securities

        333-11207               Form S-3, Shelf Registration Statement,
                                pertaining to the private placement of 1,679,840
                                shares of the Company's Common Stock in August
                                1996.

        333-15133               Form S-3, pertaining to the Company's Dividend
                                Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.



                                                ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Dallas, Texas
January 20, 1997