The eighth season of Australianreality television series House Rules, also known as House Rules: High Stakes, began airing on 6 April 2020.[1] The series is produced by the team who created the Seven reality show My Kitchen Rules. This season was hosted by former judge Jamie Durie and Abbey Way.
Applications for Season 8 opened early in November 2018 and was confirmed in the seventh seasons grand final on the House Rules official network seven website.[2][3] In July 2019, after seven seasons, Johanna Griggs announced she would not be returning as series host.[4][5] In September 2019, Wendy Moore announced she would not be returning as series judge.[6]
On 23 October 2019, the series was officially renewed for an eighth season which will be titled "House Rules: High Stakes" and for the first time will include eight teams, as well with the announcement of two new judges, interior designer Kyly Clarke and home builder Saul Myers, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen will retain his role as judge, however Jamie Durie will become the new series host, along with new co-host Abbey Gelmi.[7][8]
It was announced in October 2020 that this would be the last season.
This season of House Rules consisted of new teams renovating each other's homes and further challenges for an ultimate prize of $100,000.
Format changes
Elimination rounds – This season will begin with eight teams. However, over two rounds, two teams will be eliminated. Each round will consist of renovating one half of a Gold Coast penthouse per round. The lowest scoring team from each round will be eliminated, whilst the other six will receive a spot in the competition.
Interior renovations:
Team scoring – For the first time during the interior renovation rounds, each team will also score each other's rooms, which will be combined into the average score from all teams.
Elimination – This is the first season to have a double elimination during interior renovations.
Round winners – The team who scores the highest after each house renovation receives $10,000 to keep personally.
Interior renovation rounds
Winning team
Round prize
1
Kimmy & Rhi
$10,000
2
3
Kayne & Aimee
4
Laith & George
5
Kimmy & Rhi
6
Kayne & Aimee
Exterior renovations - For the first time, this season will not include any exterior or gardens renovations.
Grand final - for the first time, not the two but four remaining teams will fight it out in the grand final.
Description — In the first of two eliminations challenges, the teams had to renovate a zone in the first half of a 1970s Gold Coast penthouse within 7 days. It was intended that the losing team in this challenge would be eliminated, but due to a team withdrawing from the competition during this round, there will be no elimination after the round is complete, however the highest scoring team will be fast tracked to the interior renovations.
^1 Due to Carly & Andrew withdrawing from the competition, their two rooms had to be given to two teams, one room each, these rooms would now count as pass/fail rooms, if they pass the team receives 5 points, if they fail they receive nothing. The teams are:
^1a Laith & George decided to take on the Master Bedroom. The room was judged as a fail and they did not receive 5 extra points.
^1b Kayne & Aimee decided to take on the Open Study. The room was judged as a pass and they did receive 5 extra points.
Round 2
Episode 4 to 6
Airdate — 9 to 13 April
Description — In the second of two eliminations challenges, the teams had to renovate a zone in The second half of a 1970s Gold Coast Penthouse within 7 days. The lowest scoring team at the end of this round will be eliminated.
previous winner's advantage: Tanya & Dave — fast tracked to interior renovation rounds
previous runners-up advantage: Kimmy & Rhi — allocating the zones to the teams
Renovation summary
Round 2
House Rules
Rule 1
Create a Miami Beach penthouse
Rule 2
Embrace the sexy curves and views
Rule 3
Impress with gelato colours
Rule 4
Entertain upstairs with lavish style
Rule 5
Give each bedroom a different identity
Team
Zone
Scores
Round Total (out of 30)
Final Total (Round 1 & 2)
Kyly
Laurence
Saul
Kimmy & Rhi
Bedroom 3 & WIR
8
7
8
23
1st (48)
Laith & George
Bar, Study Nook & Bathroom 1
9
7
8
24
2nd (45)
Lenore & Bradley
Stairs, Hallway & Laundry
8
6
7
21
3rd (43)
Kayne & Aimee
Pool View Lounge & Bedroom 2
6
7
6
19
4th (40)
Tamara & Rhys
Bedroom 1 & Bathroom 2
7
8
6
21
5th (38)
Susan & Anthony
Cocktail Lounge & Ensuite
6
7
6
19
6th (34)
Tanya & Dave
Through to interior renovations
Interior Renovation
The six teams traveled around the country to completely renovate each other's home. Every week, one team handed over their house to their opponents for a complete interior transformation. A set of rules from the owners were given to the teams known as the 'House Rules' which needed to be followed to gain high scores from the judges and the homeowner team.
Victoria: Kayne & Aimee
Episodes 7 to 9
Airdate — 14 to 20 April
Description — Teams headed to Kayne & Aimee's home in Cranbourne, Victoria for the first renovation. The highest scoring team will receive $10,000 to keep personally.
Renovation 1
Cranbourne, Victoria
House Rules
Rule 1
Create a light-filled modern, eco ranch
Rule 2
Embrace texture, up cycling and wood
Rule 3
Be soft and subtle with colours
Rule 4
Think inside out with the bathroom
Rule 5
Bring relaxation and the rainforest into our master
Team
Zone
Scores
Total (out of 50)
Running Total (Reno 1)
Homeowner
Kyly
Laurence
Saul
Teams
Kimmy & Rhi
Entry, Dining Room & Ensuite
8
9
8
8
8
41
41 / 50
Tamara & Rhys
Bathroom & Study
10
8
7
7
8
40
40 / 50
Laith & George
Master Bedroom & Laundry
9
8
7
7
8
39
39 / 50
Lenore & Bradley
Kitchen & Bedroom 2
9
7
7
8
8
39
39 / 50
Tanya & Dave
Loungeroom, WIR & Entry Hall
8
7
6
6
7
34
34 / 50
Kayne & Aimee
—
—
New South Wales: Laith & George
Episodes 10 to 12
Airdate — 21 to 27 April
Description — Teams headed to Laith & George's home in Sydney, New South Wales for the second renovation. The highest scoring team will receive $10,000 to keep personally.
previous winner's advantage: Kimmy & Rhi — allocating the zones to the teams
Previous loser's disadvantage: Tanya & Dave — Camping in a tent during the renovation.
Renovation 2
Sydney, New South Wales
House Rules
Rule 1
Create a suave & sophisticated masculine home
Rule 2
Style with deep, heritage colours
Rule 3
We'll be looking for the finer details and quality craftsmanship
Rule 4
Give us a VIP lounge fit for gentlemen...like us
Rule 5
Open up, for family gatherings
Team
Zone
Scores
Total (out of 50)
Running Total (Reno 1 & 2)
Homeowner
Kyly
Laurence
Saul
Teams
Kimmy & Rhi
Kitchen & VIP Lounge
10
9
9
9
9
46
87 / 100
Kayne & Aimee
Bathroom, Dining Room & Guest Bedroom
9
9
8
9
8
43
43 / 50
Lenore & Bradley
Living Room, George's Study & Ensuite
8
9
9
8
8
42
81 / 100
Tanya & Dave
Entry, Hallway & Master Bedroom
7
8
7
8
7
37
71 / 100
Tamara & Rhys
Bedroom 2, Laith's Study & Laundry
7
7
6
6
7
33
73 / 100
Laith & George
—
39 / 50
Western Australia: Tanya & Dave
Episodes 13 to 15
Airdate — 28 April to 4 May
Description — Teams headed to Tanya & Dave's 's home in Perth, Western Australia for the third renovation. The highest scoring team will receive $10,000 to keep personally. Three of the bedrooms belong to their children; Luke, eight years old; Ben, six years old and Emily, four years old.
previous winner's advantage: Kimmy & Rhi — allocating the zones to the teams
Previous loser's disadvantage: Tamara & Rhys — Camping in a tent during the renovation.
Renovation 3
Perth, Western Australia
House Rules
Rule 1
Give us a natural, coastal, family home
Rule 2
Storage solutions for the whole family
Rule 3
Layer and texture with rattan and cane
Rule 4
Deliver with refined use of whites and dusty tones
Rule 5
We'd love a break from the kids upstairs
Team
Zone
Scores
Total (out of 50)
Running Total (Reno 1 to 3)
Homeowner
Kyly
Laurence
Saul
Teams
Kayne & Aimee
Ben's Bedroom, Powder Room, Loungeroom & WIR
9
8
7
7
8
39
82 / 100
Laith & George
Emily's Bedroom, Kitchen, Stairs & Landing
8
7
7
5
8
35
74 / 100
Tamara & Rhys
Hallway, Dining Room & Ensuite
7
7
7
6
7
34
107 / 150
Kimmy & Rhi
Master Bedroom, Mudroom & Bathroom
9
7
5
5
7
33
120 / 150
Lenore & Bradley
Laundry, Luke's Bedroom & Study
8
6
5
5
7
31
112 / 150
Tanya & Dave
—
71 / 100
Queensland: Tamara & Rhys
Episodes 16 to 19
Airdate — 5 to 11 May
Description — Teams headed to Tamara & Rhys's home in Brisbane, Queensland for the fourth renovation. The highest scoring team will receive $10,000 to keep personally.
previous winner's advantage: Kayne & Aimee — allocating the zones to the teams
Previous loser's disadvantage: Lenore & Bradley — Camping in a tent during the renovation.
Renovation 4
Brisbane, Queensland
House Rules
Rule 1
Design an integratrd, clutter free minimalist home
^2 Even though both Laith & George and Kimmy & Rhi received the same score, only one team could win this round, so the winner was decided by the scores given by the teams, Kimmy & Rhi received 8's from all teams however Laith & George received three 8's and a 9, meaning the 9 being the higher score they won this round.
New South Wales: Lenore & Bradley
Episodes 20 to 23
Airdate — 17 to 25 May
Description — Teams headed to Lenore & Bradley's home in Greystanes, New South Wales for the fifth renovation. The highest scoring team will receive $10,000 to keep personally.
previous winner's advantage: Laith & George — allocating the zones to the teams
Previous loser's disadvantage: Kayne & Aimee — Camping in a tent during the renovation.
Renovation 5
Greystanes, New South Wales
House Rules
Rule 1
We would love a refreshed Hamptons home
Rule 2
Open up with light and love
Rule 3
Give us the blues
Rule 4
Deliver elegance with contemporary, clean and crisp wet areas
Rule 5
My grandson Aiden deserves a nursery fit for a prince
Team
Zone
Scores
Total (out of 50)
Running Total (Reno 1 to 5)
Homeowner
Kyly
Laurence
Saul
Teams
Kimmy & Rhi
Loungeroom, Pantry & WIR
9
9
10
9
9
46
207 / 250
Tamara & Rhys
Nursery, Hallway & Ensuite
8
9
9
9
9
44
151 / 200
Tanya & Dave
Dining Room, Laundry & Bedroom 2
9
9
8
8
8
42
151 / 200
Laith & George
Master Bedroom & Kitchen
8
8
8
8
8
40
155 / 200
Kayne & Aimee
Entry, Bathroom & Den
8
8
8
7
8
39
155 / 200
Lenore & Bradley
—
151 / 200
Tasmania: Kimmy & Rhi
Episodes 24 to 27
Airdate — 26 May to 1 June
Description — Teams headed to Kimmy & Rhi's home in Launceston, Tasmania for the sixth and final interior renovation. The highest scoring team will receive $10,000 to keep personally. The two lowest scoring teams overall will be eliminated.
previous winner's advantage: Tamara & Rhys3 — allocating the zones to the teams
Previous loser's disadvantage: Kayne & Aimee — Camping in a tent during the renovation.
Renovation 6
Launceston, Tasmania
House Rules
Rule 1
Design an edgy, mid-century modern home for the Tassie Twins
Rule 2
Don't be generic, think vintage cool
Rule 3
Pack a punch with retro colours
Rule 4
Present a plush pooch pad & playground
Rule 5
We love to lounge and entertain, so be generous here
Team
Zone
Scores
Total (out of 50)
Final Total (Reno 1 to 6)
Homeowner
Kyly
Laurence
Saul
Teams
Kimmy & Rhi
—
1st (207)
Kayne & Aimee
Master Bedroom & Laundry
8
9
9
9
8
43
2nd (198)
Laith & George
Bathroom & Pooch Pad
8
8
7
8
8
39
3rd (194)
Tamara & Rhys
Kitchen & Guest Bedroom
8
8
8
8
8
40
4th (191)
Lenore & Bradley
Dining Room & Entry
8
8
7
7
8
38
5th (189)
Tanya & Dave
Living Room & Hallway
7
7
7
7
7
35
6th (186)
Notes
^3 Although Kimmy & Rhi were the highest scoring team in the previous week, they do not participate in the renovation of their own home, therefore the allocation of team zones was given to the second-highest scoring team.
Grand Final
Episode 28 to 30
Airdate — 2 to 7 June
Description — The four remaining teams will, for the first time in history, be renovating for charity. They have now been given only four days to construct a Nano-Homes freight house with no demolition required for a man named Lionel who has lost his home due to circumstances beyond his control. The winner at the end will be determined by points and will receive a grand prize of $100,000.
previous winner's advantage: Kimmy & Rhi — allocating their own zone
Renovation summary
Grand Final
House Rules
Rule 1
Be house proud and create a Zen inspired retreat
Rule 2
Make sure small is perfectly formed
Rule 3
Decorate with life’s stylish necessities
Rule 4
Be sustainable, natural and neutral
Rule 5
Be cheeky with the use of LLB’s wallpaper
Team
Zone
Scores
Total (out of 30)
Final Result
Kyly
Laurence
Saul
Kimmy & Rhi
Kitchen & Bedroom
9
9
9
27
Winners
Kayne & Aimee
Front Garden, WIR & Entry
8
9
9
26
Runners-Up
Laith & George
Bathroom, Laundry & Dining Room
8
8
9
25
Third Place
Tamara & Rhys
Verandah & Lounge Room
8
8
8
24
Fourth Place
Ratings
Colour key:
– Highest number of viewers/nightly rank during the season
– Lowest number of viewers/nightly rank during the season
aRatings data used is from OzTAM and represents the live and same day average viewership from the 5 largest Australian metropolitan centres (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide).
