Just my opinion but the correct words are integrity and personal character.  Yes there is a business relationship between the owner and renter. the renter may be unhappy or the owner may be unhappy. Or someother person may make a bid on renting the ground. A renter may be also renting the land owners equipment, or whatever.

Honestly the specifics of the situation are superfulous. The real issue is the character and integrity of the person or persons.  If a person is in a business relationship do they make fundamental changes to that relationship with a 3rd party without discussing the situation with the "business partner" before making a decision that effects that ??

Does the person when in that relationship do what is fair, honest and treat the "business partner" as he would want to be treated??

There are People out there that having a signed contract is completely unnecessary because that person said what he would do as his part of the contract and gave his word. At that point the person will move heaven and hell before he goes back on his word, as he values his own intregrety and character so much he would never renig on his word.

There are also people out there that ANY written contract is never good enough because the person will still find some "loophole" or corner to cut, or some way to nenig on the contract regardless of how many 100's of pages are in that contract. Or the person will have a wagonload of "reasons" (excuses) why the contract couldn't be fulfilled as written and agreed to. 

Sadly in Agriculture just like the rest of America,, There are people where ANY contract regardless of how well written,, is never good enough because the person will find a way to weasel around, over, under, or have a wagon load of excuses of "why" they can't live up to their word doing what they agreed to do.

Then there are people in written contracts that you'll never have to look at the contract again after signing it, because the person will fulfill even go above and beyond the requirements of the contract.

The problem is nobody wears signs that describe their integrity or character... I've been stung by those of low intregrity and character, and I've dealt with those with intregrity and character to spare.

Now having said all that,,,   couple other things I've picked up over the years....

1.  rumors are worth exactly what you paid for them...

2.  You Can hear anything you care to listen to...

Men like tractors come in all sizes,,

 I'd rather know a Big man on a small tractor than a small man on a Big Tractor. In a pinch you can always rent more horsepower,, same can't be said for intregrity or character.