FORM OF AUTHORIZATION CARD

EXHIBIT 99.1

BAY APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

AUTHORIZATION CARD
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To American Stock Transfer & Trust Company:

I want to participate in the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Plan") and I hereby appoint you as my agent, and authorize Bay Apartment
Communities, Inc. to pay to you, for my account, cash dividends payable to me on
the shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock of Bay Apartment Communities,
Inc. registered in my name as follows:

(Check: "I", "II", "III" or "IV" below)

[ ] I. FULL DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT - I instruct you to apply all
dividends payable to me on all shares of Common Stock and
Preferred Stock, if any, registered in my name, including all
shares of Common Stock credited to my Plan account, to the
purchase of additional shares of Common Stock.

[ ] II. PARTIAL DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT ONLY - I instruct you
to apply all dividends payable to me on _____________ shares of
Common Stock, ___________ shares of Series A Preferred Stock and
___________ shares of Series B Preferred Stock, as well as on all
shares of Common Stock credited to my Plan account, to the
purchase of additional shares of Common Stock.

[ ] III. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS - I instruct
you to apply all dividends payable to me on _________ shares of
Common Stock, ________ shares of Series A Preferred Stock and
_________ shares of Series B Preferred Stock, as well as on all
shares of Common Stock credited to my Plan account, and an
optional cash payment in the amount of $___________, to the
purchase of additional shares of Common Stock.

[ ] IV. OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS ONLY - I instruct you to
apply only the enclosed optional cash payment in the amount of
$_______, as well as any dividends on shares of Common Stock
credited to my Plan account to the purchase of additional shares
of Common Stock.

I authorize you to apply all such dividends received by you, less applicable
brokerage fees, to the purchase of full and fractional shares of Common Stock of
Bay Apartment Communities, Inc. Your appointment as my agent is subject to the
additional terms and conditions set forth in the accompanying brochure.