To rent or not to tenants on benefits

Other

I am in the process of finding tenants. The estate agent phoned me up to say they have found a tenant who works part-time in a pub. I have since been thinking how can the tenant afford to pay for rent on a low wage? I imagine the tenant must be in receipt of housing benefit, or whatever new name it is now called, something which the estate agent never mentioned, nor did they mention it is a zero hour contract, withholding vital information from me. Obviously they are looking out for themselves to get paid (another estate agent is also looking for tenants) so this estate agents wants to get my business, without considering whether the tenant is suitable or not. Are there any landlords out there who are willing to rent to tenants on a zero contract and in receipt of benefits? I do not rent to people on benefits because they are nothing but trouble, from bitter previous experience. I rent to tenants in receipt of a full time, well paid job. I know it is illegal to discriminate against benefit receivers, however does the law help or protect landlords whose benefit tenants do not pay rent?