The Government Just Stepped In And Changed The Block’s Auction Rules — And The Cast Is In Absolute Panic
This year, the Channel 9 renovation show takes place in Mount Eliza, in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
The Block contestants have admitted they’re worried about a major twist they will face on auction day, brought about by a change in Victorian law.
The state government will require people selling their homes to advertise an exact reserve price at least seven days in advance.
The law will take effect on October 1 and is intended to help people see how much a property is really worth.
Jolene, who entered the show with her husband Adam, said that she was “nervous” about how the change would impact the bottom line.
“I think you’d be lying if you said you weren’t,” she told TV WEEK.
“But at the end of the day, the houses are amazing, the views are incredible, and we can’t control the rules. We can only control what we do from here.”
House 3’s Lisa has also expressed concern about the October 1 rule change and fears it will alter how the auction will unfold.
“It takes a bit of the surprise out of it, and whether or not Channel Nine will take that into consideration when they announce their reserves, I don’t know,” she said.
How did Victorian law change impact The Block?
This year, the Channel 9 renovation show takes place in Mount Eliza, in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
Up until now, people hoping to nab a home built by The Block contestants haven’t known the reserve price.
It’s only revealed to viewers at home after the auction, so they can see just how much the contestants are taking home.
Each contestant takes home whatever profit they make above the reserve price, with the winning duo pocketing an additional $100,000.
But this rule change could see contestants take home less cash.
A poll of Yahoo Lifestyle readers found that 57 per cent thought the new rule was fair, with just 11 per cent having sympathy and calling it “unfair”.
Showrunner responds to major The Block change
The show’s executive producer, Julian Cress, said the real estate market is already “pretty wobbly” and sounded concerned about auction day would play out.
“It’s never happened,” he told TV Tonight.
“I mean, nobody in Australia has ever revealed their reserve price a week ahead of their auction.
In Victoria, people will have to advertise their reserve price a full seven days before auction. The Block will be impacted by this. (Channel 9)
“If you were selling your house, would you publish your reserve price a week before your auction publicly?”
He claimed it would be a “big twist” and a “big challenge” to see whether any of the couples would turn a profit as a result.
However, he said it would be one of the most “compelling” auctions in the show’s history.