Dielectric and thermal characteristics of gel grown single crystals of ytterbium tartrate trihydrate have been carried out. The dielectric constant has been measured as a function of frequency in the range 2 kHz-1 MHz and temperature range 30-300 degrees C. The dielectric constant increases with temperature, attains a peak near 215 degrees C, and then decreases as the temperature exceeds 215 degrees C. The dielectric anomaly at 215 degrees C is suggested to be due to phase transition brought about in the material. The dielectric behaviour of the material is correlated with the results on thermal analysis. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis have been used to study the thermal characteristics of the material. The experimental results show that the material is thermally stable up to 200 degrees C. The decomposition process occurs in two stages until ytterbium oxide is formed at 700 degrees C. The non-isothermal kinetic parameters e.g., activation energy and the frequency factor have been evaluated for each stage of thermal decomposition by using the integral method, applying the Coats-Redfern approximation.