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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements of
Bay Apartment Communities, Inc. on Form S-8 (File No. 333-16809), Form S-8 (File
No. 333-16837), Form S-3 (File No. 333-16647), Form S-3 (File No. 333-15407),
and Form S-3 (File No. 333-15875) of our report dated March 18, 1997, on our
audit of the Historical Summary of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses of
Genesee Gardens Apartments for the year ended December 31, 1996, which report
is included in this Current Report on Form 8-K/A.


                                                        COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


San Francisco, California
June 16, 1997