A HOMEOWNER has been left shocked by the 300 percent fee increase that has been proposed for his HOA fees.

Residents from Baldwin Park, in Orlando, Florida are considering selling up following huge increases over the past two years.

Dennis James has lived at his home for over a decade and told News 6 that he has “mixed emotions” following the latest increase proposal costing over $1,000 per month.

Homeowner’s associations implement fees for members which go toward the maintenance of the homes and surrounding area.

The 80-year-old said he immediately considered moving out of his three-bedroom home after seeing the figure.

“It was kinda like what the — huh?” James said.

“I was moving. I was saying I’m out of here.”

In 2022, James and his neighbors paid $424 per month to their HOA.

This figure increased this year to $758 and the proposed monthly fee for next year is $1,222.42.

If this goes ahead, it would be an increase of almost 300 percent in two years.

According to residents, there is also a $400 semi-annual fee that they also have to pay.

“I do believe there will be people who will be selling, once they start seeing it,” James said.

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“I think the $1,200 a month is too much for what we get.”

There are 62 residents in Baldwin Park who, like James, all live in what is known as the Issa 28 townhomes and would be subject to this increase.

However, the community is not taking the increase lying down, instead, signs have been posted on mailboxes saying: “Another increase!!??

“Our townhome monthly fees would be higher than any other townhome in our area by $500-$800 per month.”

News of the increase has even reached social media with people calling it “insanity.”

One person said: “Insanity. Baldwin Park is gorgeous, but this is not the Palisades of Beverly Hills.”

The 62 homeowners have retained the services of an attorney in a bid to force the board of directors and Sentry Management to be transparent about what payments their fees have been used for.

Attorney Jim Byrd admitted to the news outlet that the laws surrounding HOA fee increases in Florida are a gray area.

Byrd who is working on behalf of the Baldwin Park residents said: “There are certain legal principles that come into play and that govern the actions of the board of directors in relation to its responsibility to the owners.

“There are options available, we believe, to the board of directors that would create better protection for long-term property values, but also would address this short-term cash deficiency, that I believe the association is facing.”

According to the president of Sentry Management who spoke to the news outlet, the increases have been implemented due to the cost of everything increasing including insurance.

The residential owner’s association budget meeting to discuss the adoption of the proposed increase has been scheduled for November 2.

The U.S. Sun has contacted Baldwin Park HOA for comment.