After all, if they defaulted on their loans, the banks would repossess the house at a higher value.

To the maximum extent possible, States should ensure that such persons are able to return to and repossess and use their housing, land and property in a similar manner to those possessing formal ownership rights.

A recent revision of that decision permits banks to repossess homes, but only if they help arrange alternative lower cost housing an administrative nightmare for lenders, particularly if a lot of people start defaulting at the same time.

Even where the returnees repossess their land, if they have no livelihood means to carry them on to the next harvest, these will find themselves forced to seek employment in the farms of permanent residents, instead of working their own land.

17.2 States should ensure that the safeguards of due process extended to secondary occupants do not prejudice the rights of legitimate owners, tenants and other rights holders to repossess the housing, land and property in question in a just and timely manner.