Why you can't visit The Block open homes this year

Mark Richardson and Shelley Ferguson will host a Block Party at the Challenge Warehouse instead of the traditional open home weekend.

The Block houses will go under the hammer in three weeks time, as this year's teams compete for the $100,000 prize money.

But unlike previous years, where the public has been invited to view the teams work during a weekend of open homes, this year the houses are off-limits to the public.

According to MediaWorks, the open homes are unable to happen "due to the number of stairs in this season's houses".

In a statement, MediaWorks said: "Due to health and safety concerns around the large number of stairs in this year's Block houses and the volume of potential attendees, we are unable to open the homes to the public."

This year, the teams have renovated a series of three-storey townhouses in Auckland's North Shore suburb of Northcote.

In the past, thousands of fans have turned out for The Block open home weekend, showing their support for their favourite teams.

Instead, this year, the cast and crew will host a Block Party at the Challenge Warehouse, where the weekly judging ceremony takes place.

Hosts Mark Richardson and Shelley Feguson will be joined by site foreman Peter Wolfkamp and the four teams for the event on Sunday September 10.

Meanwhile, all four Block homes are now listed for sale on TradeMe, between the price range of $1.25 million to $1.35 million.

The Block auction will be broadcast live on Three on Sunday September 17 from 7pm.