The new trade body for companies working in the beleaguered short lets sector has recruited 14 new member firms – although 11 of them have joined on a trial basis.

The UK Short Term Accommodation Association was set up in 2017 and earlier this month reported that Airbnb and similar platforms had seen a collapse of business since the start of the Coronavirus crisis with some 70 per cent of bookings cancelled – and some firms seeing a 90 per cent slump.

The new members include property management companies, a luxury property rental firm and a holiday cottages lettings operator.

The STAA now has 39 corporate and affiliate members, including some of the largest platform operators in the UK such as Airbnb and HomeAway, as well as firms providing specific services to the sector.

Last month, the STAA announced that it was to waive membership fees until the end of May for some existing corporate members and all new members.

Here is the story from early April on the huge slump in activity in the short lets sector.