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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

  Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
                                      1934

                        FOR QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996

                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 2-84816

                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII

                        A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                  I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO. 95-3290316

                         9090 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 201
                           Beverly Hills, Calif. 90211

                         Registrant's Telephone Number,
                       Including Area Code (310) 278-2191

                        Securities Registered Pursuant to

                        Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Act

                                      NONE

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed with the Commission by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                 Yes  X     No
                                     ---       ---
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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                               INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

                      FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   Item 1.  Financial Statements

           Balance Sheets, March 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995 ......       1

           Statements of Operations,
                  Three Months Ended March 31, 1996 and 1995 .........       2

           Statement of Partners' Deficiency,
                  Three Months Ended March 31, 1996 ..................       3

           Statements of Cash Flows,
                  Three Months Ended March 31, 1996 and 1995 .........       4

           Notes to Financial Statements .............................       5

   Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                  Condition and Results of Operation .................       9

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

   Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.........................................      10

   Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..........................      10

   Signatures.........................................................      11
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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                             MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1995



                                     ASSETS

                                                                        1996           1995
                                                                     (UNAUDITED)     (AUDITED)
                                                                    ------------   ------------
                                                                             
INVESTMENTS IN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS                                 $ 18,140,286   $ 18,600,961

CASH                                                                     432,185        352,652

SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS                                                   125,000        125,000

OTHER ASSETS                                                             105,129        105,129
                                                                    ------------   ------------

          TOTAL ASSETS                                              $ 18,802,600   $ 19,183,742
                                                                    ============   ============

                      LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' DEFICIENCY

LIABILITIES:

     NOTES PAYABLE                                                  $ 24,869,501   $ 24,869,501

     ACCRUED INTEREST PAYABLE                                         22,769,138     22,427,527

     ACCRUED FEES DUE GENERAL PARTNER                                  2,756,124      2,630,214

     ACCOUNT PAYABLE AND OTHER LIABILITIES                                38,886         13,519
                                                                    ------------   ------------

                                                                      50,433,649     49,940,761
                                                                    ------------   ------------
PARTNERS' (DEFICIENCY):
     General partners                                                   (639,441)      (630,701)
     Limited partners                                                (30,991,608)   (30,126,318)
                                                                    ------------   ------------

                                                                     (31,631,049)   (30,757,019)
                                                                    ------------   ------------
           TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS'
                DEFICIENCY                                          $ 18,802,600   $ 19,183,742
                                                                    ============   ============



   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1995

                                   (UNAUDITED)




                                                        1996            1995
                                                     ---------      -----------
                                                              
INTEREST INCOME                                      $   4,597      $     5,090
                                                     ---------      -----------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
     Interest expense                                  580,856          586,126
     Management fees - general partner                 185,910          185,910
     General and administrative                         21,086           22,409
     Legal and accounting                               57,775           48,840
                                                     ---------      -----------

                                                       845,627          843,285
                                                     ---------      -----------

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS                                  (841,030)        (838,195)

EQUITY IN LOSS OF LIMITED
     PARTNERSHIPS AND AMORTIZATION
      OF ACQUISITION COSTS                             (33,000)        (225,000)
                                                     ---------      -----------

NET LOSS                                             $(874,030)     $(1,063,195)
                                                     =========      ===========
NET LOSS PER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
     INTEREST                                        $     (42)     $       (51)
                                                     =========      ===========



   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                        STATEMENT OF PARTNERS' DEFICIENCY
                        THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996

                                   (UNAUDITED)




                                    GENERAL           LIMITED
                                    PARTNERS          PARTNERS            TOTAL
                                   ----------       ------------       ------------
                                                              

PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
       March 31, 1996                                     20,802
                                                    ============
PARTNERS' DEFICIENCY
       at January 1, 1996          $(630,701)       $(30,126,318)      $(30,757,019)

Net loss for the three months
       ended March 31, 1996           (8,740)           (865,290)          (874,030)
                                   ---------        ------------       ------------

PARTNERS' DEFICIENCY,
       March 31, 1996              $(639,441)       $(30,991,608)      $(31,631,049)
                                   =========        ============       ============


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                   THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1995

                                   (UNAUDITED)



                                                                 1996        1995
                                                              ---------   -----------
                                                                    
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net loss                                                   $(874,030)  $(1,063,195)
   Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
      used in operating activities:
         Equity in loss of limited partnerships
             and amortization of additional basis
             and acquisition costs                               33,000       225,000
          Increase in other assets                                 --          (3,561)
          Increase in accrued interest payable                  341,611       367,795
          Increase in accrued fees and expenses
             due general partner                                125,910       175,910
          Increase in accounts payable and other liabilities     25,367        14,844
                                                              ---------   -----------

                Net cash used in operating activities          (348,142)     (283,207)
                                                              ---------   -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Distributions from limited partnerships recognized
      as a return of capital                                    427,675       374,229
   Advances to limited partnership                                 --         (72,000)
                                                              ---------   -----------

               Net cash provided by investing activities        427,675       302,229
                                                              ---------   -----------

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                        79,533        19,022

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                  352,652       498,954
                                                              ---------   -----------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD                      $ 432,185   $   517,976
                                                              =========   ===========



   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 MARCH 31, 1996

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

    GENERAL

    The information contained in the following notes to the financial statements
    is condensed from that which would appear in the annual financial
    statements; accordingly, the financial statements included herein should be
    reviewed in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes
    thereto contained in the Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1995
    prepared by Real Estate Associates Limited VII (the "Partnership.").
    Accounting measurements at interim dates inherently involve greater reliance
    on estimates than at year end. The results of operations for the interim
    periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the
    entire year.

    In the opinion of the Partnership, the accompanying unaudited financial
    statements contain all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring
    accruals), necessary to present fairly the financial position of the
    Partnership at March 31, 1996, and the results of operations for the three
    months then ended and changes in cash flows for the three months then ended.

    The general partners have a 1 percent interest in profits and losses of the
    Partnership. The limited partners have the remaining 99 percent interest
    which is allocated in proportion to their respective individual investments.
    National Partnership Investments Corp. (NAPICO) is the corporate general
    partner of the Partnership.

    USES OF ESTIMATES

    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
    accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
    assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
    disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
    statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
    reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

    METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR INVESTMENT IN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

    The investment in limited partnerships is accounted for on the equity
    method. Acquisition, selection and other costs related to the acquisition of
    the projects were capitalized as part of the investment account.

    NET LOSS PER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTEREST

    Net loss per limited partnership interest was computed by dividing the
    limited partners' share of net loss by the number of limited partnership
    interests outstanding during the year. The number of limited partnership
    interests was 20,802 for the periods presented.

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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 MARCH 31, 1996

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and bank certificates of deposit.

    SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS

    Short term investments consist of bank certificates of deposit with original
    maturities ranging from more than three months to twelve months. The fair
    value of these securities, which have been classified as held for sale,
    approximates their carrying value.

    INCOME TAXES

    No provision has been made for income taxes in the accompanying financial
    statements since such taxes, if any, are the liability of the individual
    partners.

NOTE 2 - INVESTMENT IN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

    The Partnership holds limited partnership interests in 32 limited
    partnerships. In addition, the Partnership holds a general partner interest
    in REA IV, NAPICO is also the general partner in REA IV. REA IV, in turn,
    holds limited partner interests in 16 additional limited partnerships. In
    total, therefore, the Partnership holds interests, either directly or
    indirectly through REA IV, in 48 partnerships all of which own residential
    rental projects consisting of 4,731 apartment units. The mortgage loans of
    these projects are insured by various governmental agencies.

    The Partnership, as a limited partner, is entitled to between 98 percent and
    99 percent of the profits and losses in the limited partnerships it has
    invested in directly. The Partnership is also entitled to 99 percent of the
    profits and losses of REA IV. REA IV holds a 99 percent interest in each of
    the limited partnerships in which it has invested.

    Equity in losses of limited partnerships is recognized in the financial
    statements until the limited partnership investment account is reduced to a
    zero balance. Losses incurred after the limited partnership investment
    account is reduced to zero are not recognized.

    Distributions from the limited partnerships are accounted for as a return of
    capital until the investment balance is reduced to zero. Subsequent
    distributions received are recognized as income.

    The following is a summary of the investment in limited partnerships as of
    March 31, 1996:


                                                         
    Balance, beginning of period                            $18,600,961
    Cash distributions recognized as a return of capital       (427,675)
    Amortization of acquisition costs                           (76,000)
    Equity in loss of limited partnerships                       43,000
                                                            -----------

    Balance, end of period                                  $18,140,286
                                                            ===========



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 MARCH 31, 1996

NOTE 2 - INVESTMENT IN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

    The following are unaudited combined estimated statements of operations for
    the limited partnerships in which the Partnership has investments:



                                       Three months          Three months  
                                          ended                  ended     
                                      March 31, 1996        March 31, 1995
                                      --------------        --------------
                                                                 
    Revenues:                                                               
         Rental and other               $6,786,000            $6,627,000  
                                        ----------            ----------  
    Expenses:                                                             
         Depreciation                    1,349,000             1,467,000  
         Interest                          876,000               968,000  
         Operating                       4,967,000             4,867,000  
                                        ----------            ----------  
                                                                          
                                         7,192,000             7,302,000  
                                        ----------            ----------  
                                                                          
              Net loss                  $ (406,000)           $ (675,000) 
                                        ==========            ==========  

                                   
    NAPICO, or one of its affiliates, is the general partner and property
    management agent for certain of the limited partnerships included above.

NOTE 3 - NOTES PAYABLE

    Certain of the Partnership's investments involved purchases of partnership
    interests from partners who subsequently withdrew from the operating
    partnership. The Partnership is obligated on non-recourse notes payable of
    $24,869,501, bearing interest at 9 1/2 percent, to the sellers of the
    Partnership interests. The notes have principal maturity dates ranging from
    December 1999 to December 2002 or upon sale or refinancing of the underlying
    partnership properties. These obligations are collateralized by the
    Partnership's investments in the investee partnerships and are payable out
    of cash distributions from the investee partnerships, as defined in the
    notes.

    Unpaid interest, was $22,769,138 at March 31, 1996, and is due at maturity
    of the notes.

NOTE 4 - ACCRUED FEES AND EXPENSES DUE TO GENERAL PARTNER

    Under the terms of the Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited
    Partnership, the Partnership is obligated to NAPICO for an annual management
    fee equal to .5 percent of the invested assets of the partnerships. Invested
    assets is defined as the costs of acquiring project interests, including the
    proportionate amount of the mortgage loans related to the Partnership's
    interests in the capital accounts of the respective partnerships. The fee
    was approximately $186,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and
    1995.

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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 MARCH 31, 1996

NOTE 4 - ACCRUED FEES AND EXPENSES DUE TO GENERAL PARTNER (CONTINUED)

    The Partnership reimburses NAPICO for certain expenses. The reimbursement to
    NAPICO was $9,975 for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995, and is
    included in administrative expenses.

NOTE 5 - CONTINGENCIES

    The corporate general partner of the Partnership and the Partnership are
    plaintiffs in various lawsuits and have also been named defendants in other
    lawsuits arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business. In
    the opinion of management, and the corporate general partner, the claims
    will not result in any material liability to the Partnership.

NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosure about Fair
    Value of Financial Instruments," requires disclosure of fair value
    information about financial instruments, when it is practicable to estimate
    that value. The notes payable are collateralized by the Partnership's
    investments in investee limited partnerships and are payable only out of
    cash distributions from the investee partnerships. The operations generated
    by the investee limited partnerships, which account for the Partnership's
    primary source of revenues, are subject to various government rules,
    regulations and restrictions which make it impracticable to estimate the
    fair value of the notes payable and related accrued interest and amounts due
    general partner. The carrying amount of other assets and liabilities
    reported on the balance sheets that require such disclosure approximates
    fair value due to their short-term maturity.

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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 MARCH 31, 1996

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

    The Partnership's primary sources of funds include interest income earned
    from investing available cash and distributions from limited partnerships in
    which the Partnership has invested. It is not expected that any of the local
    limited partnerships in which the Partnership has invested will generate
    cash flow sufficient to provide for distributions to limited partners in any
    material amount.

    RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    Partnership revenues consist primarily of interest income earned on
    certificates of deposit and other temporary investment of funds not requred
    for investment in local partnerships.

    Operating expenses consist primarily of recurring general and administrative
    expenses and professional fees for services rendered to the Partnership. In
    addition, an annual Partnership management fee in an amount equal to .5
    percent of invested assets is payable to the corporate general partner.

    The Partnership accounts for its investments in the local limited
    partnerships on the equity method, thereby adjusting its investment balance
    by its proportionate share of the income or loss of the local limited
    partnerships. Losses incurred after the limited partnership account is
    reduced to zero are not recognized.

    Distributions received from limited partnerships are recognized as return of
    capital until the investment balance has been reduced to zero or to a
    negative amount equal to future capital contributions required. Subsequent
    distributions received are recognized as income.

    Except for certificates of deposit and money market funds, the Partnership's
    investments are entirely interests in other limited and general partnerships
    owning government assisted projects. Available cash is invested in money
    market funds and certificates of deposit which provide interest income as
    reflected in the statement of operations. These temporary investments can be
    easily converted to cash to meet obligations as they arise. The Partnership
    intends to continue investing available funds in this manner.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                                 MARCH 31, 1996

PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

As of March 31, 1996, the Partnership's Corporate General Partner was a
plaintiff or defendant in several suits, including the following related to REAL
VII:

John Mitchell v. Oakwood Apartments, NAPICO et al., Case No. 94CV112108, Court
of Common Pleas, Lorain County, Ohio. On March 31, 1994, the Plaintiff filed a
lawsuit alleging that on May 5, 1992, while returning to his apartment (Oakwood
Apartments, Lorain, Ohio) he tripped and sustained mental and physical injuries.
The Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed his action and a Notice of Voluntary
Dismissal without prejudice was filed. The Plaintiff, however, refiled the
action which remains pending.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

  (a)    No exhibits are required per the provision of Item 7 of regulation S-K.




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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                                 MARCH 31, 1996

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                           REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII            
                           (a California limited partnership)            
                                                                         

                           By:    National Partnership Investments Corp.,
                                  General Partner                        
                                                                         
                           Date:  ________________________________________   
                                                                         


                           By:    ________________________________________
                                   Bruce Nelson                          
                                   President                             
                                                                         

                           Date:  ________________________________________
                                                                         

                           By:    ________________________________________ 
                                   Shawn Horwitz                         
                                   Executive Vice President and          
                                   Chief Financial Officer