EXHIBIT 23.1



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We have issued our reports dated February 14, 1996 (except for Note 20, as to
which the date is March 14, 1996) accompanying the consolidated and combined
financial statements and schedule of Equity Residential Properties Trust and
Predecessor Business as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1995.  We have also issued our report
dated October 4, 1995 accompanying the Combined Statement of Revenue and Certain
Expenses of the 1995 Most Recent Acquired Properties for the year ended December
31, 1994 included in the Current Report of Equity Residential Properties Trust
on Form 8-K/A, as amended, dated September 21, 1995.  We consent to the
incorporation by reference of the above reports in the Registration Statement of
Equity Residential Properties Trust on Form S-8.



                                         GRANT THORNTON LLP



Chicago, Illinois
June 26, 1996