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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-3 (File No. 33-92688) and Form S-8
(File No. 33-80249) of our reports dated July 3, 1996, on our audits of the
Historical Summary of Gross Income and Direct Operating Expenses of
Countrybrook Apartments for the three months ended March 31, 1996, and the year
ended December 31, 1995, the Historical Summary of Gross Income and Direct
Operating Expenses of Parkside Commons Apartments for the three months ended
March 31, 1996, and the year ended December 31, 1995, the Historical Summary of
Gross Income and Direct Operating Expenses of Villa Marguerite Apartments for
the three months ended March 31, 1996, and the year ended December 31, 1995,
and the Historical Summary of Gross Income and Direct Operating Expenses of
Sunset Towers Apartments for the three months ended March 31, 1996, and the
year ended December 31, 1995, which reports are included in this Current Report
on Form 8-K/A.

                                        /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

                                        COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


San Francisco, California
July 5, 1996