Safety checklist before letting a helper into your home

By the Nesttr team · 2 October 2026 · 3 min read

Inviting someone into your home — to help an elderly parent, drive your car, walk your dog or help you pack — takes trust. Most helpers are honest, hard-working people, and most bookings go smoothly. Still, a few simple precautions protect everyone, including the helper. This checklist works for any service, whether you book through Nesttr or elsewhere.

Before you book

• Check verification. On Nesttr, helpers complete identity and address verification before they can accept bookings. Wherever you book, prefer helpers whose identity has been checked.
• Read the profile carefully. Look at the services offered, experience, languages spoken and ratings from previous customers.
• Be clear about the task. Describe exactly what you need, for how long and any special requirements — an elderly person with limited mobility, a large dog, heavy furniture. Clear expectations prevent most misunderstandings.
• Confirm the price. Know the hourly rate and the expected duration before you confirm. Nesttr shows rates upfront.

Before the first visit

• Share details with family. Tell a family member or neighbour the helper's name, the time of the visit and the purpose.
• Secure valuables. Lock away jewellery, cash, important documents and spare keys. This is sensible with any visitor, not a sign of distrust.
• Protect your digital information. Never share bank passwords, UPI PINs, OTPs or card details with any helper — and make sure older family members know this rule too. A genuine helper will never ask for them.
• Let the society know. Inform your building security so the helper is not held up at the gate.

On the day

• Confirm identity at the door. Check that the person who arrives matches the profile photo and name.
• Walk through the task together. Show where things are and explain any house rules.
• Stay reachable. If an elderly parent is home alone with a helper, call them during the visit to check in.
• Use the platform for payments where possible, or pay by a traceable method and keep a record.

If an older person will be alone with the helper

Elder companionship and caretaker bookings deserve a little extra care:

• choose helpers with good ratings and relevant experience;
• for the first visit, try to be present yourself or arrange for a relative or neighbour to drop by;
• ask your parent afterwards how it went, in a relaxed way, and listen closely;
• watch for changes in mood or behaviour after visits.

Our guide to caring for elderly parents who live alone has more on building a safe support system.

Respect the helper too

Safety goes both ways. Helpers are entitled to a safe and respectful working environment:

• give clear, reasonable instructions within the booked service;
• provide drinking water and access to a toilet on longer bookings;
• do not ask for tasks outside the agreed service without discussing it and agreeing on the time;
• remember that companionship services on Nesttr are strictly platonic, and any inappropriate request breaks our Code of Conduct.

Treating helpers with courtesy is also the best way to build a long-term relationship with someone reliable.

After the booking

• Rate honestly. Ratings help other families choose well and help good helpers build their reputation.
• Report concerns promptly. If anything made you uncomfortable, contact our support team through the Contact page and mark the subject "URGENT – Safety" for safety issues.
• In an emergency, call 112 first, then inform the platform.

A quick summary

1. Book verified helpers and read profiles and ratings.
2. Agree on the task and price in advance.
3. Secure valuables and never share PINs or OTPs.
4. Tell someone about the visit and confirm identity at the door.
5. Treat the helper with respect.
6. Rate the booking and report any concern.

A few minutes of preparation gives you peace of mind, so you can focus on what the help is really for: freeing up your time and making life easier for the people you care about.

Common questions

Should I be home for the first visit?

If possible, yes — especially when the helper will be with an elderly family member. If you can't, ask a relative or neighbour to drop in and call during the visit.

Is it rude to lock away valuables?

Not at all. Securing valuables is sensible with any visitor and protects the helper from misunderstandings too.

What should I do if something feels wrong?

In an emergency, call 112. Otherwise, end the booking politely and report your concern to the platform's support team straight away with as much detail as you can.

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