NEED TO KNOW
- The 2026 Blockheads are living together in former contestants Emma and Ben’s renovated house during filming.
- Emma and Ben sold the property in January, but its six-month settlement meant it remained available for the show.
- The former contestants returned to meet the new couples and reconnect with The Block production team.
Emma and Ben Cox may have finished their time as contestants on The Block, but their connection to the show is far from over.
The couple, who competed during the 2025 Daylesford season, returned to the show last night to meet this year’s Blockheads.
However, there is another reason their appearance feels particularly fitting — the 2026 contestants have been house-sharing in Emma and Ben’s former Mornington home throughout filming.
For the first time in The Block history, all five teams are living together away from the construction site.
The shared arrangement has added an entirely new dynamic to the competition, with contestants unable to escape their rivals once the working day ends.
Emma and Ben told WHO about the unusual chain of events that led to their much-loved family home becoming the Blockheads’ base.
Why are The Block contestants living in Emma and Ben’s house?
Emma and Ben originally planned to renovate the Mornington property quickly before putting it back on the market.
Instead, the project took almost three years and became far more personal than either of them expected.
“We finished renovating our Mornington home over the summer of 2024/25, just three months before heading to Daylesford to film Season 21 of The Block,” they told WHO.
“What was originally meant to be a quick flip turned into a renovation that took the better part of three years.”
The couple said the project grew as they navigated increasing expenses, a larger workload and everyday life.
“The scope of the project, rising costs, the amount of work involved and life in general meant our timeline stretched well beyond what we’d planned,” they explained.
“But honestly, we weren’t disappointed. We completely fell in love with the house, the location and the community, so we were never in a rush to move on.”
Emma and Ben originally planned to sell before The Block
During the summer of 2024/25, Emma and Ben asked local real estate agent Jarrod Carman to appraise the property ahead of a possible sale.
Their plans were put on hold when they learnt they had secured a place on The Block.
“Then everything changed when we found out we’d been lucky enough to be selected for The Block and represent Victoria in 2025,” the couple said.
“Instead of selling, we packed up our Mornington home and rented it out for 12 months while we filmed.”
Following their time on the show, Emma and Ben decided they were finally ready to part with the property and listed it in December 2025.
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home sold by private treaty in January 2026 for a reported $1.86 million.
However, its six-month settlement created an unexpected opportunity for the property to return to television.
“The home sold in January with a six-month settlement, which meant it was available to house the Block contestants during the 2026 season before settlement took place,” Emma and Ben explained.
Emma and Ben meet The Block’s 2026 contestants
Located approximately 15 minutes from the Mount Eliza construction site where contestants are renovating five houses this season, the Mornington property offered a convenient place for them to live during the 12-week build.
The arrangement also allowed Emma and Ben to remain involved in the show, meeting the new teams and reconnecting with the crew.
“We were absolutely thrilled that our home became the place the new Blockheads called home during filming,” they told WHO.
“Being only 15 minutes from the build site made it the perfect base.”
After spending close to three years transforming the property, seeing it filled with another group of Blockheads made the sale particularly memorable.
“It was so special to be involved again this year, meet the new couples, and catch up with so many familiar faces from the production team,” Emma and Ben added.
“We can’t wait to watch the season unfold.”
The Block airs Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm and Sundays at 7pm on Channel Nine and 9Now.
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