Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Forms S-3 No. 333-175242, No. 333-169956, No. 333-156156, No. 333-156153, No. 333-151588, No. 333-142723, No. 333-141261, No. 333-135503, No. 333-100631, No. 333-63176, No. 333-80835, No. 333-72961, No. 333-12983, No. 333-06873, No. 33-97680 and No. 33-84974; Forms S-8 No. 333-175173, No. 333-107244, No. 333-06869, No. 333-102609, No. 333-83403, No. 333-88237 and No. 333-66257; and Forms S-4 No. 333-44576 and No. 333-35873) of Equity Residential and in the related Prospectuses of our reports dated February 24, 2011 (except for Notes 11, 12, 13 and 19, as to which the date is November 10, 2011), with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Equity Residential, included in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

November 10, 2011

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