EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements of United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc. and in the related Prospectus of our report dated January 31, 2002, (except for Notes 13 and 14, as to which the date is November 27, 2002), with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc. included in this Current Report on Form 8-K. Registration Statement Number Description ----------------------------- ----------- 33-40433 Form S-3, pertaining to the private placement of 900,000 shares of the Company's common stock in May, 1991. 33-48000 Form S-8, pertaining to the Company's Stock Option Plan. 33-58201 Form S-8, pertaining to the Employee's Stock Purchase Plan. 333-11207 Form S-3, pertaining to the private placement of 1,679,840 shares of the Company's Common Stock. 333-15133 Form S-3, pertaining to the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. 333-32829 Form S-8, pertaining to the Company's Stock Purchase and Loan Plan. 333-44463 Form S-3, pertaining to the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. 333-48557 Form S-3, pertaining to the private placement of 104,920 shares of Common Stock and 104,920 rights to purchase Series C Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock. 333-53401 Form S-3, pertaining to the private placement of 1,528,089 shares of Common Stock and 1,528,089 rights to purchase Series C Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock. 333-58600 Form S-8, pertaining to the Employee's Stock Purchase Plan. 333-64281 Form S-3, pertaining to the private placement of 849,498 shares of Common Stock and 849,498 rights to Purchase Series C Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock. 333-72885 Form S-3, pertaining to the private placement of 130,416 shares of Common Stock and 130,416 rights to purchase Series C Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock. 4 Registration Statement Number Description ----------------------------- ----------- 333-75897 Form S-8, pertaining to the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan. 333-77107 Form S-3, pertaining to the private placement of 1,023,732 shares of Common Stock and 1,023,732 rights to purchase Series C Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock. 333-77161 Form S-3, pertaining to the private placement of 481,251 shares of Common Stock and 481,251 rights to purchase Series C Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock. 333-80279 Form S-8, pertaining to the Company's Open Market Purchase Program. 333-82929 Form S-3, pertaining to the private placement of 95,119 shares of Common Stock and 95,119 rights to purchase Series C Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock. 333-92667 Form S-3, Shelf Registration Statement, pertaining to the registration of $616,058,554 of Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Debt Securities. 333-86808 Form S-3, pertaining to the registration of 12,307,692 shares of Common Stock. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Richmond, Virginia November 27, 2002 5