Advice on allotment tenancy

[AKing987]

Hi,

I am trying to take on an allotment in Sheffield and I am being asked to pay for a period of time before I have signed a tenancy agreement or being given a key. I want to start the tenancy from the beginning of February but they are insisting I pay from the beginning of January despite not signing an agreement or having access to the site from that date. Please can someone advice me on the legality of their policy?

Thanks

[Amethyst]

Is it a council or private allotment ?