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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 February 5, 1997, on our
audit of the Historical Summary of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses of
Rancho Penasquitos Racquet Club for the year ended December 31, 1996, of our
report dated April 7, 1997, on our audit of the Historical Summary of Revenues
and Direct Operating Expenses of The Village Apartments for the year ended
December 31, 1996, of our report dated January 3, 1997, on our audit of the
Historical Summary of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses of Banbury Cross
Apartments for the year ended December 31, 1996, and of our report dated March
14, 1997, on our audit of the Historical Summary of Revenues and Direct
Operating Expenses of Villa Serena 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
April 18, 1997