> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/customers-and-work/properties/create-a-property.md). # Create a property Start a property from the **New** button in the top bar (**New**, then **Property**), or from the **New Property** button in the top right of the Properties page. Opening the **New** menu while you are on a customer's page carries that customer over, so the form comes up with the customer already selected. A property always belongs to a customer, so if it is not prefilled, select that customer in the **Customer** section first. Once a customer is chosen, the rest of the form appears. Enter the property address, which requires street, city, state, and zip, plus an optional property name and phone number. In the internal web and mobile apps, if a customer has exactly one property and its property name is blank, Essential displays the customer name in property lists, search, pickers, tasks, and scheduling. You can leave the property name blank; adding a name uses that name instead. Inactive properties still count toward the customer’s property total. In **Create Customer**, **Create Property**, and **Edit Property**, the blank **Property name** field shows the customer name as a placeholder when this fallback applies. The hint explains that leaving it blank uses that name; for customers with multiple properties, a blank name displays the address. This fallback is not shown to customers: approval forms, the Customer Portal, emails, texts, and documents keep the saved property name or their usual address display. Find the customer by searching its name or the complete value of a text or number custom field, such as a customer number. Exact matches appear before partial names and similar spellings. Then handle Contacts and roles. You can search the customer's existing contacts and add them to this property, or create a brand-new contact inline with name, email, phone numbers, and title. Contacts the customer already has assigned at the customer level appear automatically. For each contact you assign roles: customer-level roles apply across the whole account, and property-level roles can be pointed at this new property specifically. Every contact needs at least one role, and you can designate a primary for each role. If a role's primary is already taken by another contact at that level, the conflicting choice is shown as unavailable so two people are not made primary for the same thing. If the customer has portal access and your business uses the portal, you can enable portal access for a new contact. An Additional Details section holds notes and any custom fields. Click Save to create the property. After a property exists, it becomes the place where jobs, visits, quotes, invoices, inspection reports, asset groups and their assets, files, access info, and notes come together. If a property is no longer operating, mark the property inactive instead of deleting its history. A compact orange address alert may link to other properties. Select **View matches** to review **Same address** findings and their details. Different properties can legitimately share an address, so you can review those records in a new tab and still create a separate property. If unit details are missing or differ, the alert asks you to review the street and unit details without claiming an exact address match. New contacts in this form also receive checks within the selected customer. You can collapse or dismiss the alert; it is informational and never blocks saving. See [Review possible duplicates while creating records](/customers-and-work/contacts/review-possible-duplicates-while-creating-records.md). > **Where to find it:** The **New** button in the top bar > **Property**; or the **New Property** button in the top right of the Properties page ## Related guides * [Use the New menu to create records with context](/administration/basics/use-the-new-menu-to-create-records-with-context.md) * [Add or manage contacts on a property](/customers-and-work/properties/add-or-manage-contacts-on-a-property.md) * [Move a property to another customer](/customers-and-work/properties/move-a-property-to-another-customer.md) * [Adding an asset group to a property](/customers-and-work/properties/adding-an-asset-group-to-a-property.md) * [Use Customer Billing or set Property Billing](/customers-and-work/properties/property-billing-profile-the-customer-default-or-its-own.md) * [Property files and who can see them](/customers-and-work/properties/property-files-and-who-can-see-them.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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