Bringing a live-in nanny or maid into your home makes daily life significantly easier — but it also means rethinking home security, since someone new will be living under your roof. A little preparation upfront helps you welcome a trustworthy hire with confidence, and helps her start the job on solid footing too.
1. Valuables and Important Documents
- Keep passports and residency documents in a locked drawer or safe
- Keep only the cash you need day-to-day in your wallet; lock away the rest
- Carry only the cards you actually use day to day
- Store jewelry and expensive watches in a lockbox or safe
- Scan important documents (contracts, property deeds, etc.) and back them up to the cloud
2. Managing Keys and Access
- Give your live-in staff a dedicated key, on its own keychain — not mixed in with other spares
- If you make copies of the key, keep a record of how many exist and who has them
- A smart lock (Xiaomi, Schlage, and similar brands are common in Bangkok) lets you check an access log if you ever need to
- When you hand over a key, it's worth having her sign a short note acknowledging she's been given it — a simple safeguard if a key is ever lost
3. Security Cameras
Cameras in shared spaces — the living room, the entrance — can help prevent misunderstandings and give you peace of mind when you're not home.
Important: if you install a camera, tell your staff about it and get her agreement first. Being upfront about it is part of building trust, not undermining it. For privacy, avoid pointing cameras at bedrooms or bathrooms.
- Common placements: the entrance, the living room, a kids' playroom
- Look for a model you can check in real time from your phone
- Decide upfront how long footage is kept and who can access it
Identity Verification: What's Already Checked, and What's Optional
Every HelloNanny candidate goes through identity verification before being listed — that's a standard step for everyone, not a paid add-on. As the employer, there are a few additional steps you can choose to take on top of that:
- Request a copy of her Thai national ID card (not a legal requirement, but a reasonable ask)
- Contact a previous employer for a reference
- Ask for a police clearance / background check if you want one. This is optional, and who covers the cost depends on the situation — it isn't automatically one side or the other. Thai nationals can apply online for about 100 THB; staff from Myanmar and some other nationalities need to have fingerprints taken as part of the process. You (the employer) can apply for this yourself, but if handling the paperwork in Thai feels like a hassle, an agency can apply on your behalf — HelloNanny charges around 1,000 THB to do this. Either way, expect the result to take about 7–15 days
Other agencies may claim this is already done for their candidates, but in practice those records can turn out to be quite old. Since a background check also takes time to obtain, HelloNanny doesn't run one as standard for every candidate — instead, we arrange it when the timing works for both the candidate and the employer. So don't assume it's already been taken care of; just ask us directly if it matters to you.
Setting Up a Private Room for Your Staff
Getting your live-in staff's room set up well is part of the security picture too.
- Ideally, her room and your own bedroom are separated by a lockable door
- Avoid leaving valuables in her room
- Put shared-space rules (kitchen, bathroom use) in writing so expectations are clear from day one
Digital Security
- Change your Wi-Fi password once her contract with you ends
- Check the privacy settings on any smart speakers (Alexa, Google Nest, etc.)
- Review your settings before sharing photos of your kids or family details on social media
Emergency Contacts and Procedures
- Give her a list of emergency contacts — police, ambulance, your landlord, building management
- Get her family's contact information too, in case you ever need to reach them
- Walk through what to do in an emergency (fire, an intruder, a child getting suddenly sick) before it happens, not after
The Bottom Line
Welcoming a live-in nanny or maid is fundamentally a trust relationship. Getting the security basics right beforehand isn't about suspicion — it's about setting things up so everyone can relax into that relationship with confidence. A bit of upfront preparation now makes it much easier to build a good, long-term working relationship.
If you're considering hiring a live-in nanny or maid, HelloNanny is happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a background check required for HelloNanny candidates?** A. Identity verification is done for every candidate. A police clearance / background check beyond that is optional, and who covers the cost depends on the situation (Thai nationals can apply online for about 100 THB; going through an agency runs about 1,000 THB) — it's not automatic, so ask us directly if it matters to you.
Where should I avoid placing security cameras?** A. Bedrooms and bathrooms, for privacy — and always let your staff know a camera is there before you install it.
Do I need a smart lock, or is a regular key fine?** A. A regular key with a clear record of who has copies works fine for most families. A smart lock is a nice-to-have if you want an access log, not a requirement.
Related reading: 10 Rules to Set Before You Hire a Nanny or Maid in Bangkok · Legal Basics of Hiring a Nanny or Maid in Thailand
