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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 June 2, 1997, on our audit
of the Historical Summary of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses of Regency
Apartments for the year ended December 31, 1996, and of our report dated June 2,
1997, on our audit of the Historical Summary of Revenues and Direct Operating
Expenses of Amador Oaks Apartments for the year ended December 31, 1996, which
reports are included in this Current Report on Form 8-K.


                                      COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


San Francisco, California
August 12, 1997