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                                                                  Exhibit (a)(1)


                              ANGELES PARTNERS VII
                     1873 South Bellaire Street, 17th Floor
                             Denver, Colorado 80222

                                November 15, 1999

Dear Limited Partner:

         Enclosed is the Schedule 14D-9 which was filed by Angeles Partners VII
(the "Partnership") with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection
with an offer by AIMCO Properties, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, to
purchase units of limited partnership interest in the Partnership.

         The Partnership, through its general partner, Angeles Realty
Corporation (the "General Partner"), is required by the rules of the Securities
and Exchange Commission to make a recommendation as to whether you should accept
or reject such offer, or whether the Partnership is remaining neutral with
respect to such offer. THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE GENERAL PARTNER ARE REMAINING
NEUTRAL AND MAKING NO RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER LIMITED PARTNERS SHOULD
TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING THEIR UNITS. Although the General Partner
believes the offer is fair, limited partners must make their own decision
whether or not to participate in the offer, based upon a number of factors,
including a limited partner's financial position, the need or desire for
liquidity, other available financial opportunities, a limited partner's tax
position, and the tax consequences of selling one's units.

         Limited Partners should carefully read the enclosed Schedule 14D-9, the
Litigation Settlement Offer of AIMCO Properties, L.P., dated November 15, 1999
relating to the offer to acquire units of the Partnership (the "Litigation
Settlement Offer"), and the related Letter of Transmittal and Instructions.
Certain information in the Schedule 14D-9 is incorporated by reference to the
Litigation Settlement Offer.

         Please note that the General Partner is an affiliate of AIMCO.

                                        ANGELES REALTY CORPORATION
                                        General Partner


                                        By: /s/ Patrick J. Foye
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Patrick J. Foye
                                           Executive Vice President