Exhibit 23 Consent of Independent 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 28, 1998, 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, 1997: Registration Statement Number Description - - ----------------------------- ------------- 33-40433 Form S-3, pertaining to the private placement 900,000 shares of the Company's common stock in May, 1991. 33-47296 Form S-8, pertaining to the Company's Stock Purchase and Loan Plan. 33-48000 Form S-8, pertaining to the Company's Stock Option Plan. 33-58201 Form S-8, pertaining to the Employee's Stock Purchase Plan. 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. 333-27221 Form S-3, Shelf Registration Statement, pertaining to the registration of $600 million of Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Debt Securities. 333-32829 Form S-8, pertaining to the Company's Stock Purchase and Loan Plan. 333-44463 Form S-3, pertaining to the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. 333-42691 Form S-8, pertaining to the Company's Stock Option Plan. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP ------------------------------ Ernst & Young LLP Richmond, Virginia March 27, 1998