This paper presents the results of investigations of the dielectric, birefringent and electrooptic properties of NH 2 (CH 3 ) 2 Me(SO 4 ) 2 Á 6H 2 O (Me ¼ Al, Ga) crystals. The data obtained are compared with the predictions of a phenomenological theory. In particular, the temperature behaviour of the dielectric susceptibility components and their anomalies in the vicinity of phase transition points were investigated in details. The specific behaviour of the studied parameters in the low temperature region was related to the coexistence of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric ordering of the dimethylammonium groups carrying a dipole moment. phys. stat. sol. (b) 228, No. 3, 785-798 (2001) # WILEY-