Fans brutally call My Reno Rules a 'Temu' version of The Block

My Reno Rules has arrived to scratch The Block-sized itch we have in our TV schedules right now.

The new reality renovation series is hosted by Dr. Chris Brown and heavily backed by billionaire investor and avid The Block buyer, Adrian Portelli. The show began with Portelli purchasing two rundown properties in Bulleen, Victoria, for $2.7 million to serve as the homes ready to be transformed for the competition.

This season, four teams of everyday Australians, all heavily impacted by the current cost-of-living crisis, compete in pairs to renovate the homes. The winner will be determined by a fancy judging panel featuring design experts Neale Whitaker, Simon Cohen and Julia Green.

The show originally announced a $100,000 grand prize for the highest-scoring team. However, after the first week of renovations, Adrian Portelli admitted he was “embarrassed offering that” and eventually bumped it to a cool $1 million in cash for the winner and $250,000 for the runner-up. No biggie!

But considering My Reno Rules is a home renovation show with Adrian Portelli front and centre, many TV fans have said it reminds them a little too much of The Block.

But there is one key difference between the show: unlike The Block, there is no final auction on My Reno Rules; instead, the two multi-million-dollar finished homes will be given away to lucky viewers at home.

Some fans are preferring the new show to The Block, which had faced increased criticism over the years for prioritising petty drama for actual renovation.

“With The Block getting further and further away from its roots, I bet most people are watching it just to see people actually renovating again,” wrote one critic on Reddit. “The Block has become more about decorating than building anything. Like watching a hour long commercial.”

So far in the 2026 season, the competition has served up plenty of drama. Teams have clashed over tight budgets and working in tight spaces. Production was thrown into chaos when a major asbestos scare forced an emergency evacuation and temporarily halted building, pushing the contestants to scramble to meet deadlines.

But what fans are probable wondering is: why did Adrian Portelli jump ship?

Why did Adrian Portelli leave The Block for My Reno Rules?

Billionaire businessman Adrian Portelli left Channel 9’s The Block after the 2024 season to pursue his own television project, Channel 7’s My Reno Rules.

Having spent over $27 million buying eight properties on The Block, including sweeping all five homes in 2024, Portelli decided he had achieved his ultimate goal on the show.

Add to that, The Block producers and host Scott Cam reportedly requested that he take a break to allow regular people a fair chance at buying the homes, rather than having one billionaire dominate the auctions.

The feeling was mutual, as Adrian slammed the series in 2025. “They’re completely out of touch and unrealistic,” Portelli told news.com.au about The Block’s disastrous auction result.

Portelli pivoted to Channel 7 to back My Reno Rules, a show where he acts as the show’s principal sponsor. Instead of auctioning the houses off to pocket the profits, Portelli’s business model involves giving the multi-million-dollar homes away to viewers.

Taking a clear swipe at his former network, he posted on Instagram in 2025: “Bet my high school teachers never thought I’d have my own TV show on Channel 7,” he said.

“The reno games looking a little dusty. Time for a fresh coat. The gloves are off.” They sure are!

My Reno Rules airs on Seven and 7plus.

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