According to reports from Nine, Courtney and Sev secured a victory with 26 points during the first room reveal Sunday of 2026, overcoming a dramatic cheating scandal and harsh judge feedback that left multiple teams trailing behind. The opening week of competition brought early tension, body corporate meetings, and strict critiques from judges Marty Fox, Shaynna Blaze, and guest judge Alice Stolz.
Cheating Scandal Overshadows Early House Work
According to Nine, Foreman Dan investigated rule breaches after a contestant was caught painting despite regulations prohibiting trades from painting. The incident triggered a body corporate meeting that Judge Dan pointed out is a Block record for this early in the season, called by contestant Tayla, according to Nine’s reporting. Foreman Dan issued a warning to the teams, though he later admitted to Nine that he would have pushed for disqualification if he were a contestant. A second body corporate meeting lasted only two minutes when other contestants declined to support further action, leaving Wyatt frustrated with Rick and Tayla.
Judge Scores and Room Breakdown
Following Scott Cam calling tools down, the judges evaluated five spaces with starkly contrasting results, according to Nine:
- Courtney and Sev: 26 points. The besties adapted their plans to suit Darren Palmer’s quiet luxury brief, utilizing a DIY bedhead and timber ceiling. Despite chipping rendered wardrobes, they claimed the week-one win.
- Adam and Jolene: 22 points. The self-described bush bogans delivered a safe space with matching aged-bronze detailing, though Alice Stolz and Shaynna Blaze noted it lacked a distinct wow moment.
- Chantel and Wyatt: 20 points.
- Lisa and Rosco: 19.5 points. Their room drew sharp criticism from Marty Fox regarding a crooked wall niche, though the judges acknowledged the value of taking creative risks.
- Rick and Tayla: 17 points. The lowest-scoring team faced severe backlash after Marty Fox fell through an unfinished bed frame lacking slats. The judges described the space as void of emotion and personality.
Budget Surprises and CommBank Award
According to Nine, Lisa and Rosco claimed the CommBank Budget Award and a $10,000 prize after estimating their costs to within $6 of their actual spend. Conversely, Scott Cam noted that Chantel and Wyatt spent more than $20,000 in cash during the week without a clear record of where the funds went, leaving the couple visibly frustrated in their car cam footage.
Did you know? The first body corporate meeting called by Tayla set a Block record for being so early in the season, according to Nine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the first room reveal of the season?
According to Nine, Courtney and Sev won the first room reveal with a score of 26 points.
What was the highest and lowest score awarded by the judges?
Courtney and Sev achieved the highest score with 26 points, while Rick and Tayla received the lowest score of 17 points, according to Nine.
Who won the CommBank Budget Award?
According to Nine, Lisa and Rosco won the $10,000 budget prize after accurately estimating their expenses within $6.
Join the Discussion: What did you think of the judges’ scoring and the early season drama? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts on who has the best house layout so far.