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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),
Form S-3 (File No. 333-39037), and Form S-3 (File No. 333-41511) of our report
dated October 20, 1997, on our audit of the Historical Summary of Revenues and
Direct Operating Expenses of Creekside Apartments for the year ended December
31, 1996, of our report dated November 14, 1997, on our audit of the Historical
Summary of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses of Warner Oaks Apartments for
the year ended December 31, 1996, of our report dated November 14, 1997, on our
audit of the Historical Summary of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses of
Viewpointe Apartments for the year ended December 31, 1996, and of our report
dated November 5, 1997, on our audit of the Historical Summary of Revenues and
Direct Operating Expenses of Governor's Square East and West 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
December 10, 1997