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                           [STREICH LANG LETTERHEAD]

                                                                    Exhibit 5.1

                               November 20, 1996

Oasis Residential, Inc.
4041 East Sunset Road
Henderson, NV 89014

          Re:  $5,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of
               7.00% Notes due 2003 of Oasis Residential, Inc.
               -----------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have acted as special Nevada counsel for Oasis Residential, Inc.
(the "Company") in connection with matters arising under laws of the State of
Nevada and pertaining to a registration statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement") being filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

        The Registration Statement incorporates by reference in its entirety
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Commission on
March 21, 1995 (File No. 33-90488), which contains the Company's Prospectus
dated March 28, 1995 (the "Prospectus") and all Supplements thereto (each a
"Prospectus Supplement"). The Registration Statement provides for the
registration by the Company of $5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 
7.00% Notes due 2003.
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                           [STREICH LANG LETTERHEAD]

                                                         Oasis Residential, Inc.
                                                               November 20, 1996
                                                                          Page 2

        In our capacity as Nevada counsel to the Company in connection with the
Registration, we are generally familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed
to be taken by the Company in connection with the authorization and issuance of
the Securities. For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed that such
proceedings will be timely and properly completed, in accordance with all
requirements of applicable federal and Nevada securities laws, in the manner
presently proposed.

        We have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries,
including an examination of originals and copies certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of all such documents, corporate records and
instruments of the Company as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for
purposes of this opinion. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness
of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as 
originals, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents 
submitted to us as copies.


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                           [STREICH LANG LETTERHEAD]

                                                         Oasis Residential, Inc.
                                                               November 20, 1996
                                                                          Page 3

        We have been furnished with, and with your consent have relied upon,
certificates of officers of the Company with respect to certain factual
matters. In addition, we have obtained and relied upon such certificates and
assurances from public officials as we have deemed necessary.

        We are opining herein as to the effect on the subject transaction only
of the internal laws of the State of Nevada, and we express no opinion herein
with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws
of any other jurisdiction or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of
any local agencies within any state.

        Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Registration Statement.

        Subject to the foregoing and the other qualifications set forth herein,
it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof the Securities have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and, when executed,
authenticated and delivered by or on behalf of the Company against payment
therefor in accordance with the Indenture, will constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
their terms.

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                           [STREICH LANG LETTERHEAD]

                                                         Oasis Residential, Inc.
                                                               November 20, 1996
                                                                          Page 4

        The opinion rendered above is subject to the following exceptions,
limitations and qualifications: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or
hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the rights and remedies


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                           [STREICH LANG LETTERHEAD]

                                                         Oasis Residential, Inc.
                                                               November 20, 1996
                                                                          Page 5

of creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, whether
enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or law, the discretion of
the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought and (iii) the
unenforceability under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of
provisions providing for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with
respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary
to public policy.

        To the extent that the obligations of the Company under the Indentures
may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for the purposes of this opinion
that the trustee for each Indenture is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that the
trustee is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by the
applicable Indenture; that the applicable Indenture has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by the trustee and constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the trustee, enforceable against the trustee in
accordance with its terms; that the trustee is in compliance, generally and
with respect to acting as a trustee under the Indenture, with all applicable
laws and regulations; and that the trustee has the requisite organizational and
legal power and authority to perform its obligations under the Indenture.

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                           [STREICH LANG LETTERHEAD]

                                                         Oasis Residential, Inc.
                                                               November 20, 1996
                                                                          Page 6

        We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus incorporated by reference therein.

        This opinion is rendered only to you and is solely for your benefit in
connection with the transactions covered hereby. This opinion may not be relied
upon by you for any other purpose, or furnished to, quoted to, or relied upon
by any other person, firm or corporation for any purpose, without our prior  
written consent.


                                                Very truly yours,
                                                STREICH LANG

                                                /s/ Streich Lang