Hi ks and welcome to the forum
Why was he not covered by his insurance policy? Are you in a position to help him out with regard to this debt - possibly by taking out a small mortgage over the property and trying to effect a settlement?
I am afraid it does look as if he is contractually liable for the debt - your Dad could also offer to make nominal payments of say £1 per week if this does eventaully go to Court.
In your Dad's case, a charging order may not necessarily be so bad - and is probably just the same as taking out borrowings against the property. I am assuming he has no other debts?
Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.
For further details contact me at
http://www.melaniegiles.com and view my IVA blog at:
http://melaniegiles.blogs.iva.co.uk