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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our reports dated
February 11, 2000 included in IRT Property Company's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1999 and to all references to our firm included in this
registration statement.

                                                 /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
January 11, 2001