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EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Expert" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) of ERP Operating Limited Partnership for the
registration of $1,000,000,000 debt securities and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our reports indicated below with respect to the financial
statements indicated below included in ERP Operating Limited Partnership's
filings as indicated below, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Date of Auditors'
Financial Statements Report Filing
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Consolidated financial statements and schedule of February 16, 2000, 1999 Annual Report on
ERP Operating Limited Partnership at December 31, except for Note 22, as Form 10-K
1999 and 1998 and for each of the three years in to which the date is
the period ended December 31, 1999 March 20, 2000
Consolidated financial statements and schedules of January 27, 1999 Current Report on Form
Lexford Residential Trust at December 31, 1998 and 8-K dated June 30, 1999
1997 and for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1998
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/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
August 23, 2000
