House Rules

House Rules follows a nationwide design competition where six couples from different states swap homes and take on bold renovation challenges. Each pair works with a team of experts to transform the other couple's living spaces while a panel of judges rates their progress. Across a series of rounds the designers are pushed to balance style with function under tight deadlines, as mismatches and miscommunications spark tension and unexpected breakthroughs. The goal is to earn higher scores than the rivals and stay in the running toward the grand prize. In the end the winning couple has their mortgage paid off, a dramatic payoff that underlines the show's mix of high stakes and home improvement.

Produced for Australian television in 2013, House Rules is hosted by Jamie Durie and judged by Kyly Clarke, Saul Myers and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. The format follows couples from across the country as they renovate each other's homes.

While it built a loyal audience in Australia, there are no major award nominations publicly documented for House Rules. The series stood out for its real time renovation vibe and the way personal dynamics between competing couples played out under pressure, but it never became a marquee awards contender.

House Rules contributed to the rise of home makeover reality on Australian screens, showcasing a state to state competition that highlighted regional design sensibilities and a mortgage payoff prize as a motivational engine. Its polished aesthetics and competitive format helped set the tone for later renovation shows.

Viewers were drawn to the mix of creative problem solving and human moments as couples negotiated space, budget and deadlines. The judges bring a balance of critique and style while the host keeps energy high, making the process feel cinematic rather than purely practical. The show invites audiences to imagine how far they would go to save a home.