EXHIBIT 5(a)


                                 June 13, 2002


Post Apartment Homes, L.P.
4401 Northside Parkway
Suite 800
Atlanta, Georgia 30327

         Re:      Post Apartment Homes, L.P. -- 6.11% Notes due 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have acted as counsel for Post Apartment Homes, L.P., a
Georgia limited partnership (the "Operating Partnership,") in connection with
the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of $25,000,000
aggregate principal amount of 6.11% Notes due 2007 (the "Notes") pursuant to a
Prospectus Supplement dated June 13, 2002 (the "Notes Prospectus Supplement").

         In connection with this opinion, we have reviewed such matters of law
and examined original, certified, conformed or photographic copies of such
other documents, records, agreements and certificates as we have deemed
necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such review we
have assumed the genuineness of signatures on all documents submitted to us as
originals and the conformity to original documents of all copies submitted to
us as certified, conformed or photographic copies, and, as to certificates of
public officials, we have assumed the same to be accurate and to have been
given properly. We have relied, as to the matters set forth therein, on
certificates and telegrams of public officials. As to certain matters of fact
material to this opinion, we have relied, without independent verification,
upon certificates of Post GP Holdings, Inc., a Georgia corporation and the
general partner of the Operating Partnership, and of certain officers of Post
GP Holdings.

                  We have assumed that the execution and delivery of, and the
performance of all obligations under, an Indenture dated as of September 15,
2000 as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated December 1,
2000, (collectively, the "Indenture") between the Operating Partnership and
SunTrust Bank, as the trustee (the "Trustee") will be duly authorized by all
requisite action by the Trustee, and that the Indenture was duly executed and
delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement of, the Trustee, enforceable
against the Trustee in accordance with its terms.

                 This opinion is limited in all respects to the laws of the
States of Georgia and New York, and no opinion is expressed with respect to the
laws of any other jurisdiction or any effect





Post Apartment Homes, L.P.
June 13, 2002
Page 2


which such laws may have on the opinions expressed herein. This opinion is
limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be
inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein.

                  Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions,
qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

         (i)      The Operating Partnership is a validly existing limited
partnership under the laws of the State of Georgia;

         (ii)     Upon the issuance and sale thereof as described in the Notes
Prospectus Supplement and, when executed by the Operating Partnership and duly
authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the
Notes will be (x) valid and binding obligations of the Operating Partnership,
enforceable against the Operating Partnership in accordance with their terms
and (y) be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, subject, as to
enforcement, to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally, and (ii) general equitable principles (regardless of whether
enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

                  This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no
obligation to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that
come to our attention or changes in law that occur which could affect the
opinions contained herein. This letter is being rendered solely for the benefit
of the Operating Partnership in connection with the matters addressed herein.
This opinion may not be furnished to or relied upon by any person or entity for
any purpose without our prior written consent.

                  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit
to the current report on Form 8-K and to the reference to us under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus Supplement dated June 13, 2002.


                                    Very truly yours,

                                    /s/ King & Spalding
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                    KING & SPALDING